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ENG vs AUS 1st Ashes Test: Ben Stokes had put up a brilliant bowling performance and helped the team to skittle the hosts out on the first day of the ongoing Test series, and had become the first England skipper in 43 years to have taken a five-for in this series. He had rattled Australia's batting lineup by registering figures of 6-1-23-5 and showed his accuracy and trademark intensity. His bowling prowess has put the visitors in a commanding position in the series opener, and it was also one of his best bowling performances.

Stokes, who registered his sixth five-for in the longest format, is also on the verge of creating history in English cricket. He can surpass Gubby Allens for registering the best bowling figures as an England skipper, 6-0-36-5 in this series way back in 1936.

England bowlers with a 5-wicket haul in the Ashes

Ben Stokes – 6-1-23-5, 2025, Perth

Bob Willis – 29.4-66-5, 1982, Brisbane

Freddie Brown – 18-4-49-5, 1951, Melbourne

Gubby Allen – 6-0-36-5, 1936, Brisbane

Johnny Douglas – 17.5-6-46-5, 1912, Melbourne

Stanley Jackson – 14.5-2-52-5, 1905, Nottingham

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STOKES ROCKS AUSTRALIA

Stokes had put up a brilliant captain's performance and tried to take advantage on Day 1, and had put the visitors in a commanding position. The Ben Stokes-led side was bundled out for 172 runs, but Stokes' brilliant bowling prowess turned the match in their favour and left the hosts reeling at 143/9 and trailing by 49 runs till stumps.

Their innings was built on significant contributions by batters, even though the wickets fell at regular intervals. Harry Brook smashed a brilliant fifty, whereas Ollie Pope also scored a gritty knock as a No.3 batter. Jamie Smith, who is playing in his debut Ashes series, scored 34 runs. But Mitchell Starc was the pick among the Australian bowlers as he registered figures of 7/8 and rattled England's batting attack.

But Stokes was the star player of the day. When Jofra had dismissed Jake Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne cheaply, and then Brydon Carse took the wicket of Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja, Travis Head and Cameron Green helped the team bounce back.

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Stokes was brought into the attack again, and then he took the wickets of Green, Carey, Starc, and Boland, and thus rattled their batting lineup.

The host never really got going in their chase as they had lost five wickets and scored 47 runs in their last 10 overs. As the hosts are still trailing, England ended day 1 on a high on the back of their skipper's brilliant performance.

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