[WATCH]- Joe Root Departs For A 7-Ball Duck As Starc Dominates England In Ashes 1st Test

England’s star batter Joe Root began his 2025–26 Ashes campaign in the worst way possible, falling to Mitchell Starc for a seven-ball duck in the opening Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The right-hander edged a delivery to third slip during the first session on Day 1, Friday, November 21.

Root walked in early after Ben Duckett fell against the run of play in the seventh over, facing a fiery Starc right from the start. The left-arm pacer had already set the tone by removing Zak Crawley in the very first over, though England briefly regained momentum with some counter-attacking strokes.

Coming into the series with his record in Australia under scrutiny, Root looked eager to get off the mark and almost edged his second ball. His struggle continued in the next over as Mitchell Starc kept testing him, and he eventually succumbed to a length ball that seamed away from the leg-stump line, leaving him completely beaten.

Joe Root attempted to defend the ball by working it toward the leg side, but in doing so, he exposed the edge of his bat. The delivery caught that edge cleanly and flew straight to Marnus Labuschagne at third slip, giving Australia a crucial breakthrough. You can watch the video here:

Mitchell Starc has claimed his 100th wicket against England! #MilestoneMoment | #Ashes | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/vItwfdCK3X

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 21, 2025

Root’s Ashes Woes Continue As He Registers A Duck, Just Like In 2021–22

This dismissal is Joe Root’s sixth duck against Australia and his third on Australian soil. He had also started his previous Ashes tour in similar fashion, falling for a nine-ball duck on Day 1 of the 2021–22 opener at The Gabba in Brisbane, where Josh Hazlewood removed him.

At present, England find themselves in difficulty at 51/3 in the 12th over. Debutant Brendan Doggett has been brought into the attack, while Ollie Pope and Harry Brook are attempting to stabilize the innings for the visitors.

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