Australia crumble in shambolic fashion in chaotic first day of Ashes

Perth: Usman Khawaja’s decision to leave the field to deal with back spasms in England’s wobbly first innings, a day after winning a local Perth golf competition, became the unlikely catalyst for a dismal Australian batting display on day one of the Ashes, as the home side’s top order faltered in shambolic fashion.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan and Australia international Tom Moody criticised the team’s “poor management” after Marnus Labuschagne, listed to bat at No.3, was forced to open after England were bowled out for 172 at Optus Stadium on Friday.

Australia soon found themselves in major trouble, losing four wickets inside 18 overs before limping to stumps at 9-123 from 39 overs, in scenes that were even more chaotic than last year’s Border-Gavaskar series opener when 17 wickets fell on day one.

It was the most wickets to fall on the opening day of a Test in Australia since 1951.

England took day one honours after Alex Carey top scored for the hosts with 26 and Ben Stokes picked up 5-23, prompting British broadcaster Piers Morgan to declare on Instagram the England captain was the “greatest Englishman since [Winston] Churchill”.

Jofra Archer (2-11) and Brydon Carse (2-45) landed further blows on a brittle Australian order that looked uncomfortable against their raw pace.

“We often sit here and say it’s the wicket or it’s the batting, but I think both teams bowled really well,” said Mitchell Starc, who ripped through England with a career-best seven-wicket haul. “We know England want to be aggressive and that creates opportunities.

“It’s two innings of cricket. There’s a lot of time left in this series and game.”

In comical circumstances, Khawaja was unable to open with debutant Jake Weatherald because he had been off the field late in England’s innings. Under cricket’s playing conditions, a player cannot bat until they have spent the same amount of time on the field as they were absent. That forced Labuschagne to open for just the third time in his Test career. Khawaja was off for about 10 minutes.

When Weatherald was adjudged lbw for a second-ball duck to a searing full delivery from Archer, Khawaja was still unable to bat, leaving Steve Smith – Australia’s regular No.4 – exposed early as England hunted quick wickets.

It remains unclear whether Khawaja, Australia’s senior opener, would have taken the first ball instead of Weatherald, but it was a distraction the hosts did not need.

Cricket Australia said Khawaja battled back stiffness throughout the day and had a back spasm when he left the field. CA insists it is a new injury, despite Khawaja missing Australia’s optional training session on match eve, before recording 41 stableford points to take out the Lake Karrinyup Country Club’s Thursday golf competition. Starc and Scott Boland also played, as well as members of Australia’s coaching staff.

England lost their last five wickets in 19 balls. Smith was seen gesturing urgently for Khawaja to return to the field, but by the time he did, he had not served enough time on the field to bat in his usual role.

Moody was scathing on ABC radio, describing the mix-up as “poor management” and “beyond a joke”.

“Like Starc led the attack, we needed Uzzie to lead the batting,” he said.

Vaughan, a commentator for Kayo Sports, which is broadcasting the Ashes, said: “It screws your batting order up when something like that happens. Would Jake Weatherald have faced the first ball? Not sure.”

Asked about Khawaja’s absence, Starc said: “I didn’t know about it until the ninth wicket. We got caught off guard a little bit with wickets falling at the back end. It’s just unfortunate that that was the case. He’ll manage that overnight and see how we’re at tomorrow.”

Carse added: “I don’t think we really even realised it. It obviously was probably more unsettling for the Aussies.”

Weatherald became the first Australian top-order batsman since Labuschagne to register a duck in his maiden Test innings. Other recognised Australians to do so this century are Nic Maddinson (2016), Phillip Hughes (2008) and Andrew Symonds (2004).

The Khawaja confusion came before a major batting collapse, which will prompt questions about Australia’s preparations and ability to withstand a pace barrage from England’s speedsters.

Starc picked up where he left off in the West Indies with a blistering opening spell that dented England’s confidence until a late flurry of wickets boosted morale.

With Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood sidelined, Starc embraced the responsibility of leading Australia’s attack, bringing up his 100th Ashes wicket during a devastating haul of 7-58 from 12.5 overs.

After winning the toss, England lasted just 32.5 overs before being skittled for 172 – the fewest overs an England side has faced after choosing to bat first in a Test in Australia.

After shadow batting before play, Weatherald played and missed at his first ball before Archer beat him the next delivery – a review showing it would have hit middle and leg.

Labuschagne was bowled by Archer for nine, Smith edged to Harry Brook at second slip for 17 off Carse, and Khawaja’s lean Test run continued when he was caught behind for two. The 38-year-old has made one score above 90 in his past 45 Test innings.

Green chipped in with 24 but edged behind to Stokes, as Australia lost 5-45 late in the day.

Starc, though, bowled with pace and precision, taking the first three wickets of the innings in Zac Crawley (duck), Ben Duckett (21) and Joe Root (duck).

Harry Brook (52 off 61) and Ollie Pope (46 off 58) counterpunched but failed to kick on as wickets tumbled around them.

Debutant Brendan Doggett claimed the key wicket of Brook, gloving behind to Alex Carey, and finished with an encouraging 2-27 from seven overs.

Scott Boland struggled, returning 0-62 from 10 overs after bowling too full, while Cameron Green trapped Pope lbw to end a 55-run stand and leave England teetering at 4-94.

England’s fearless Bazballers played with the promised bravado, but collapsed in a heap – losing 5-12 – to hand Australia a commanding early advantage, even without two of their frontline fast bowlers.

But it was not quite on the level of Australia’s implosion, which leaves a three-day Test a distinct possibility and the series on a knife edge after just 71.5 overs of drama.