Zak Crawley Nightmare Start to Ashes 2025 with Two Ducks Against Starc

Zak Crawley’s Ashes campaign could not have begun in a more brutal fashion as the England opener walked off for a duck in both innings of the first Test in Perth. Mitchell Starc was the destroyer on each occasion sealing a personal statement performance in a match dominated by Australia’s pace attack. Crawley’s pair highlighted England’s early struggles and became one of the biggest talking points of the opening Test of the 2025-26 Ashes series.

In the first innings Crawley lasted only six balls before Starc angled one across him and found the edge with Usman Khawaja completing the catch at slip. The early breakthrough energized the Australian camp and set the tone for what became a commanding Starc performance. The left armer produced one of the finest spells of his career finishing with seven wickets and dismantling England’s top order with relentless swing and pace.

Crawley’s second attempt at redemption came in England’s follow on innings but Starc again struck before the opener could settle. This time Crawley chipped a return catch straight back to the bowler giving Starc a rare and symbolic caught and bowled dismissal. The moment intensified the pressure on England’s batting as well as on Crawley who had come into the series with expectations of anchoring the top order.

Crawley’s pair will undoubtedly place him under scrutiny going into the second Test but there is still a long series ahead. England will hope their opener can reset quickly while Australia will look to ride the momentum created by Starc’s dominant performances.The opening Test has already delivered drama intensity and early storylines and Crawley’s double duck at the hands of Starc stands out as one of the defining moments.