Ben Stokes delivered a spellbinding performance in Perth, rewriting Ashes history with one of the most destructive bowling displays ever produced by an England captain. The all-rounder ripped through Australia’s batting order with a sensational return of 5 for 23, surpassing the long-standing mark set by Gubby Allen almost nine decades ago.
Stokes’ fiery six-over burst tore apart Australia’s middle and lower order, removing Travis Head Cameron Green Alex Carey Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland with precision and aggression. His efforts bundled the hosts out for just 132, giving England a vital 40-run first-innings advantage in the opening Test.
The England skipper reached his five-wicket haul in only 36 balls, ranking as the third-fastest five-for by an England pace bowler in Test cricket. The only quicker achievements belong to Stuart Broad, who recorded blistering spells of 19 balls against Australia at Trent Bridge in 2015 and 34 balls against New Zealand in 2013.
Stokes now leads the updated list of five-wicket hauls by England captains in Ashes history. His 5 for 23 in Perth moves above Gubby Allen’s 1936 effort of 5 for 36 in Brisbane, along with memorable spells from Johnny Douglas Freddie Brown and Stanley Jackson. The performance also ends a 43-year wait since Bob Willis became the last England captain to take a five-for in an Ashes Test.
Allen’s previous record, set in the rain-hit Brisbane Test of 1936 where Australia were bowled out for 58, had remained untouched for nearly 90 years. Stokes’ new milestone is especially impressive given this was his first competitive match since suffering a shoulder injury in July, with the captain operating as England’s fifth bowling option behind Jofra Archer Gus Atkinson Brydon Carse and Mark Wood.
With his sixth Test five-for and third in Ashes cricket, the 34-year-old has given England a crucial early boost in their campaign to win a series in Australia for the first time since 2010-11.