England's Jofra Archer, center, celebrates with teammates the wicket of Australia's Marnus Labuschagne during the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025.(AP Photo)Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has pointed out the clear double standards in Test cricket after the first day of the Perth Test of the Ashes series saw 19 wickets fall with England being bundled out for 172 in just 33 overs. Australia were then left reeling at 123/9 in 39 overs.
After that 19-wicket carnage, Ashwin took a jibe on social media.
“Only 19 wickets fell at Perth today, but an excellent days cricket. Oh no! What if the same happens tomorrow in Guwahati?” Ashwin posted on X with a GIF that read: “Double Standards.”
Ashwin’s post was a reference to the criticism that Indian pitches get when there are a heap of wickets falling on one day in a Test match. Since 19 wickets tumbled in 72 overs on Friday, the Test match is almost half over with four days remaining.
The first day of the first Test of the Ashes in Perth saw pace bowlers dominating batters on what was a sunny day with over 51,000 spectators at Perth Stadium.
Only 19 wickets fell at Perth today, but an excellent days cricket.
Oh no! What if the same happens tomorrow in Guwahati? pic.twitter.com/4NW31yc0Sb
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) November 21, 2025
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For hosts Australia, it was Mitchell Starc who claimed a career-best 7-58 to help bundle out the visitors by the second session of the day. Then, just like Starc had picked up an England wicket in the first over of the innings, Jofra Archer took an Australian wicket in the first over of their reply. At stumps on Day 1, the hosts were 123-9 at stumps, still 49 runs behind the England first innings total.
Australia’s Mitchell Starc celebrates after bowling England’s captain Ben Stokes, left, out during the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025.(AP Photo)
ALSO READ | Ashes: Mitchell Starc takes a career-best 7 wickets as Australia dismisses England for 172
England lost wickets at regular intervals but batted with intent, scoring at 5.23 runs per over.
The disjointed Australian batting lineup went in defensively and lost wickets at even more regular intervals, without the flow of runs.
(With inputs from The Associated Press)
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