The opening Test of the 2025–26 Ashes series in Perth has continued to produce dramatic moments, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Early on the second morning, Australia struck again, thanks to a moment of brilliance from Mitchell Starc. The left-arm pacer added another breakthrough to his tally, setting the tone for England’s second innings.
The dismissal came off the fifth ball of the very first over, putting England under pressure right from the start. Starc delivered a full, attacking delivery aimed at drawing the drive, and English opener Zak Crawley obliged by attempting to play it straight down the ground.
However, the shot did not unfold as Crawley intended. The ball traveled sharply back towards the bowler after taking the inside half of the bat. Starc, who had barely completed his follow-through, reacted with astonishing reflexes.
Leaping to his left, Starc stretched out one hand and remarkably managed to pull off a stunning catch. The crowd roared in disbelief as the bowler celebrated what was clearly a moment of individual brilliance. It was the kind of catch that immediately shifted momentum.
WHAT A RIDICULOUS TAKE! Mitchell Starc sends Zak Crawley off for a pair! #Ashes | #PlayoftheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/1cg8PtLzx4
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 22, 2025
Given the sharp nature of the take, the on-field umpires decided to send the decision upstairs for confirmation. The third umpire reviewed multiple angles to ensure the ball had been cleanly collected before hitting the ground.
After a brief check, the verdict was clear—Zak Crawley was out, and Starc’s spectacular caught-and-bowled stood. The early breakthrough added another twist to a Test match already filled with high-intensity action and rapid wicket falls.