Mitchell Starc is on fire in the ongoing opening Test of the Ashes 2025-26 as he continued to impress on Day 2 as well. Having scalped seven wickets to get his career best figures, he was at his tricks again on Saturday (Nov 22) at the Optus Stadium in Perth. For the second straight innings, he dismissed English opener Zak Crawley for a duck, having also done so in the first innings. However, it was Starc’s effort to clutch Crawley that made the headlines when he completed the return catch.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">WHAT A RIDICULOUS TAKE! Mitchell Starc sends Zak Crawley off for a pair! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ashes?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ashes</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PlayoftheDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PlayoftheDay</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/nrmainsurance?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nrmainsurance</a> <a href="https://t.co/1cg8PtLzx4">pic.twitter.com/1cg8PtLzx4</a>&mdash; cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) <a href="https://twitter.com/cricketcomau/status/1992068250847400008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Starc continues magical run</h2>Having bowled out Australia for 132, England wanted to make a positive start, but those plans were put to the sword as early as the first over again. Starc, having got the better of Crawley on the final ball of the opening over, this time repeated the trick with another first-over duck for the English batter. This time it came on the fifth ball of the opening over in the second innings.&nbsp;However, it was the manner of the catch that made headlines as Starc had to complete a return one to clutch the ball. A return ball from Crawley was heading for a straight drive, but Starc dived to his left to complete a superb catch.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-leonard-hutton-to-don-bradman-5-batters-with-highest-individual-score-in-ashes-bob-simpson-bob-cowper-ashes-2025-26-1762276944046">From Leonard Hutton to Don Bradman, 5 batters with highest individual score in Ashes</a>&nbsp;The Aussie pacer has already been in great form and could have completed a 10-wicket haul in the match, but Usman Khawaja failed to catch Jamie Smith’s edge in the 20th over. At the time of writing, Starc had nine wickets in the match, including two in the second innings. He also got the better of Joe Root again as he made eight runs in the second innings, having failed to break the duck in the first.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-steve-smith-to-joe-root-5-active-batters-with-most-runs-in-ashes-ben-stokes-jonny-bairstow-usman-khawaja-1762275784636">From Steve Smith to Joe Root, 5 active batters with most runs in Ashes</a>&nbsp;At the time of writing, England were 83/5 in 23 overs with captain Ben Stokes (1) and Jamie Smith (6) in the middle. Overall, England were leading by 123 runs with five wickets in hand in the second innings. Despite being 65/1 at one stage, the visitors lost control and were 76/5. They lost four wickets in the span of 11 runs.

For the second straight innings, he dismissed English opener Zak Crawley for a duck, having also done so in the first innings. However, it was Mitchell Starc’s effort to clutch Crawley that made the headlines when he completed the return catch.

Mitchell Starc is on fire in the ongoing opening Test of the Ashes 2025-26 as he continued to impress on Day 2 as well. Having scalped seven wickets to get his career best figures, he was at his tricks again on Saturday (Nov 22) at the Optus Stadium in Perth. For the second straight innings, he dismissed English opener Zak Crawley for a duck, having also done so in the first innings. However, it was Starc’s effort to clutch Crawley that made the headlines when he completed the return catch.

For the second straight innings, he dismissed English opener Zak Crawley for a duck, having also done so in the first innings. However, it was Mitchell Starc’s effort to clutch Crawley that made the headlines when he completed the return catch.

Watch: Mitchell Starc clutches one-handed stunner as Zak Crawley fails to break the duck in Perth Test

From Alastair Cook to Graham Gooch, here is a look at batters with most runs in a single edition of Ashes featuring England batters only. The list also features legendary batters like Wally Hammond, Herbert Sutcliffe and David Gower who scored tons of runs.

From Alastair Cook to Graham Gooch, 5 batters with most runs in a single edition of Ashes (English batters only)

From Don Bradman to Steve Smith, here is a look at five most runs in a single edition of Ashes featuring Australia batters only. The list also features Mark Taylor who scored tons of runs in the 1989 Ashes while the latest series is set to kickoff on November 21 in Australia. 

From Don Bradman to Steve Smith, 5 batters with most runs in a single edition of Ashes (Australia batters only)

The game of cricket is surely not played by many countries but the popularity is growing the game's oldest format, red-ball Tests, has a surprising fan in ace golfer Rory McIlroy. The golfer is in India currently for the DP World India Championship and spoke about upcoming Ashes Test series between Australia and England which starts November 21 in Perth. The series is the oldest rivalry in cricket with two countries fighting for jar-looking trophy which symbolically carries the Ashes. The series promises to be an entertaining one with England having the best shot, according to pundits, to win it this time that too away from home.<h2>McIlroy looking forward to Ashes</h2>Speaking about his love for cricket, McIlroy, on the sidelines of ongoing golf tournament, said: "I'm a bit of a sicko. I love sitting down and watching Test matches. I'm going to be in Australia later this year, and the Ashes is going to be on. So that's something I'm quite excited about. I don't think I'll be able to get a game but I'd love to do that."Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/england-pacer-mark-wood-sets-eye-on-1st-ashes-test-in-perth-for-comeback-1760625953689">England pacer Mark Wood sets eye on 1st Ashes Test in Perth for comeback</a>Test cricket definitely needs more global icons to support it, given its flailing popularity with the rise of fast-paced T20 cricket all around the world.<h2>Ashes - History behind the name</h2>England are known to have invented the game of cricket and Australia are known to be the best at it. In 1882, Australia team registered their first ever win on the English soil. This was followed by an English paper posting an satirical obituary about England Cricket, calling it dead and Ashes to be sent over to Australia. The following year, erstwhile England captain Ivo Bligh vowed to regain the Ashes and since then the series has been called the same. England last won an Ashes, five-Test series, back in 2015 and in 2010-11 when they had won it in Australia. &nbsp;

Test cricket definitely needs more global icons to support it, given its flailing popularity with the rise of fast-paced T20 cricket. The upcoming Ashes promises to be an entertaining one with England having the best shot, according to pundits, to win it this time that too away from home.

The game of cricket is surely not played by many countries but the popularity is growing the game's oldest format, red-ball Tests, has a surprising fan in ace golfer Rory McIlroy. The golfer is in India currently for the DP World India Championship and spoke about upcoming Ashes Test series between Australia and England which starts November 21 in Perth. The series is the oldest rivalry in cricket with two countries fighting for jar-looking trophy which symbolically carries the Ashes. The series promises to be an entertaining one with England having the best shot, according to pundits, to win it this time that too away from home. McIlroy looking forward to Ashes Speaking about his love for cricket, McIlroy, on the sidelines of ongoing golf tournament, said: "I'm a bit of a sicko. I love sitting down and watching Test matches. I'm going to be in Australia later this year, and the Ashes is going to be on. So that's something I'm quite excited about. I don't think I'll be able to get a game but I'd love to do that." Also Read - England pacer Mark Wood sets eye on 1st Ashes Test in Perth for comeback Test cricket definitely needs more global icons to support it, given its flailing popularity with the rise of fast-paced T20 cricket all around the world. Ashes - History behind the name England are known to have invented the game of cricket and Australia are known to be the best at it. In 1882, Australia team registered their first ever win on the English soil. This was followed by an English paper posting an satirical obituary about England Cricket, calling it dead and Ashes to be sent over to Australia. The following year, erstwhile England captain Ivo Bligh vowed to regain the Ashes and since then the series has been called the same. England last won an Ashes, five-Test series, back in 2015 and in 2010-11 when they had won it in Australia.

Test cricket definitely needs more global icons to support it, given its flailing popularity with the rise of fast-paced T20 cricket. The upcoming Ashes promises to be an entertaining one with England having the best shot, according to pundits, to win it this time that too away from home.

Test cricket just got a global icon as a fan - Rory McIlroy looking forward to Ashes

The Ashes 2026 verbal duels are truly on with former England pacer Stuart Broad calling the current Australian team the weakest since 2010. The comments come on the back of uncertainty over second opener along with Usman Khawaja and skipper Pat Cummins unlikely to play the opening Test in Perth. The England side, however, looks strong now that extreme pacers Mark Wood and Jofra Archer are both fit and raring to go. The last time England won the Ashes in 2015 and it was in 2011 when they did it in Australia.<h2>Broad lights up verbal fuse ahead of Ashes</h2>"It's probably the worst Australian team since 2010 when England last won, and it's the best English team since 2010," Broad said on his BBC Podcast For The Love of Cricket hosted with Jos Buttler. "It's actually not an opinion, it's fact. So those things match up to the fact it's going to be a brilliant Ashes series. So I don't think anyone could argue that it's their weakest team since 2010."Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/joe-root-unfazed-by-matthew-hayden-s-naked-run-bet-on-century-drought-ahead-of-ashes-1759938810533">Joe Root unfazed by Matthew Hayden's 'naked run' bet on century drought ahead of Ashes</a>As for Australia, it was David Warner who said England are playing for 'moral victory' and has backed Sam Konstas for the opener's role in the marquee series.<h2>Joe Root in spotlight to end century drought in Australia</h2>England's best batter Joe Root has never hit a Test hundred in Australia and he's currently the format' second highest run scorer. While Aussie Matthew Hayden has backed the England batter to end the drought this time, Root isn't too unfazed by the comments. The former England skipper, however, acknowledges that him scoring runs gives the team best chance to win the series. England's last Test series was against a young India at home which they were not able to win and had to be content with a 2-2 draw in the five-match series.

The England side, however, looks strong now that extreme pacers Mark Wood and Jofra Archer are both fit and raring to go. The last time England won the Ashes in 2015 and it was in 2011 when they did it in Australia.

The Ashes 2026 verbal duels are truly on with former England pacer Stuart Broad calling the current Australian team the weakest since 2010. The comments come on the back of uncertainty over second opener along with Usman Khawaja and skipper Pat Cummins unlikely to play the opening Test in Perth. The England side, however, looks strong now that extreme pacers Mark Wood and Jofra Archer are both fit and raring to go. The last time England won the Ashes in 2015 and it was in 2011 when they did it in Australia. Broad lights up verbal fuse ahead of Ashes "It's probably the worst Australian team since 2010 when England last won, and it's the best English team since 2010," Broad said on his BBC Podcast For The Love of Cricket hosted with Jos Buttler. "It's actually not an opinion, it's fact. So those things match up to the fact it's going to be a brilliant Ashes series. So I don't think anyone could argue that it's their weakest team since 2010." Also Read - Joe Root unfazed by Matthew Hayden's 'naked run' bet on century drought ahead of Ashes As for Australia, it was David Warner who said England are playing for 'moral victory' and has backed Sam Konstas for the opener's role in the marquee series. Joe Root in spotlight to end century drought in Australia England's best batter Joe Root has never hit a Test hundred in Australia and he's currently the format' second highest run scorer. While Aussie Matthew Hayden has backed the England batter to end the drought this time, Root isn't too unfazed by the comments. The former England skipper, however, acknowledges that him scoring runs gives the team best chance to win the series. England's last Test series was against a young India at home which they were not able to win and had to be content with a 2-2 draw in the five-match series.

The England side, however, looks strong now that extreme pacers Mark Wood and Jofra Archer are both fit and raring to go. The last time England won the Ashes in 2015 and it was in 2011 when they did it in Australia.

Ashes verbal duel truly on - Ex-England pacer Broad calls Australia 'weakest since 2010'

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Watch: Mitchell Starc clutches one-handed stunner as Zak Crawley fails to break the duck in Perth Test

5 batters with most runs in a single edition of Ashes (English batters only)

5 batters with most runs in a single edition of Ashes (Australia batters only)

Test cricket just got a global icon as a fan - McIlroy looking forward to Ashes

Ashes verbal duel truly on - Broad calls Australia 'weakest since 2010'