(ESPNCRICIFO) – Living up to the hype after such a prolonged build-up, the first Ashes Test started in frenetic fashion with wild momentum swings as pace bowlers from both attacks dominated on a bouncy Perth Stadium surface.

By the end of a thoroughly entertaining opening day, England have amazingly finished with the edge after 19 wickets fell in front of 51,531 fans.

Stepping up in the absences of fellow quicks Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc had initially given Australia a sensational start to the series with career-best bowling figures of 7 for 58 as England were dismissed for just 172 in their first innings.

In the lead-up to the Test, Starc had stated his preference for series-openers to be played in Australia’s traditional fortress of the Gabba, while he was also dubious about a Perth surface dubbed as a “green monster”. Bowling consistently around 145kph/90mph, Starc relished a green-tinged surface he was able to find some extra zing off to tear through England’s batting.

Learning from Starc’s efforts, England’s all-out pace attack hit back against a reshuffled Australia batting order after Usman Khawaja was unable to open having spent time off the field during England’s innings with back stiffness.

After months of speculation over who would open, Marnus Labuschagne did end up partnering debutant Jake Weatherald, who at the start of the day had received his cap from David Warner.

Much like Nathan McSweeney a year ago against India on the same ground, Weatherald faced a baptism of fire and was trapped lbw by quick Jofra Archer to fall for a second-ball duck.

Khawaja was still not able to bat by this point, meaning Steven Smith walked out at No. 3 for the first time in a Test since 2017. He had a torrid time, smacked on the elbow by a vicious short ball from Gus Atkinson that required medical attention.

Bowling at speeds around 150kph, Archer was a handful and he conjured awkward bounce that accounted for Labuschagne, who was also struck on the elbow and bowled.

Having copped another painful blow, Smith battled hard with 17 off 49 balls before edging a sharp delivery from Brydon Carse to second slip. Batting at No. 4 for just the second time in his Test career, Khawaja could do little against a rapid short delivery from Carse that grazed the bat handle, and he was caught behind.

Feeling in much better spirits than he had earlier in the day, Ben Stokes finished with five wickets in his six-over spell, including Travis Head and Cameron Green – who had threatened with a 45-run partnership – in the shadows to cap England’s remarkable rally.

There are eerie parallels to the corresponding India Test from 12 months ago when 17 wickets fell on the opening day. This surface did not appear to be quite as challenging, but sharp bounce and pace was evident with a slew of top-order batters falling caught behind the wicket.