NEW DELHI: Australia endured a dramatic batting collapse, finishing Day 1 of the first Test in Perth at 67 for 7 in response to India’s 150 in the first innings. India, who were bowled out for 150 in 49.4 overs just before tea, took seven Australian wickets in just 27 overs during the final session.
At stumps, Alex Carey (19*) and Mitchell Starc (6*) remained at the crease, with Australia trailing by 83 runs. A total of 17 wickets fell on the first day on a lively pitch at the Perth Stadium.
Here are the key stats from the eventful day:
Lowest first innings total in Australia
* India’s first-innings total of 150 all out in the first Test in Perth equalled their lowest score in Australia in 24 years, matching the 150 they managed in Sydney back in 2000. This marks the sixth instance of India being bowled out for under 200 in the first innings of a Test in Australia, with four of those occurrences coming in the 21st century.
Fewest overs faced in a decade
* India were bowled out on the opening day of an away Test series for the ninth time, and the first since Kingston in 2011. Their total of 49.4 overs faced is the lowest among these instances.
Top scoring for India on Test debut batting at No. 8 or lower
* India’s top scorers on Test debut batting at No. 8 or lower include several notable names. Nitish Kumar Reddy added his name to this rare and remarkable list of lower-order heroes in Indian Test cricket with a composed 41 on debut. Nitish joined the ranks of L Amar Singh, Dattu Phadkar, CD Gopinath, Dattu Phadkar, Balwinder Sandhu and Stuart Binny.
Bumrah’s rare feats
*Jasprit Bumrah etched his name in history as only the second bowler to dismiss Steve Smith for a golden duck in Tests. Bumrah showcased his prowess with a stunning first-ball dismissal of the Australian stalwart. The first such instance occurred in 2014, when South Africa’s Dale Steyn achieved the feat in Port Elizabeth.
* Bumrah also has 177 wickets at an average of 20.17. Sydney Barnes is the only bowler in the 147 years history of Test cricket has more wickets than him at a better average (16.43).
Kohli’s interception
* During his brief stay at the crease, Virat Kohli intercepted the ball 2.685 meters from the stumps – the highest distance recorded in his Test career.
Butter fingers Kohli
* Virat Kohli found himself on the wrong side of fielding statistics, ranking second for the highest catch drop percentage since 2011, with a rate of 29.6% (minimum 100 chances). James Anderson tops the list with a drop rate of 31.7%. Alastair Cook recorded a drop rate of 27.9%, while Tim Southee rounds out the list with 25.7%.
Australia’s rare top-order collapse
* Only the second time since 1980 Australia have lost their first five wickets in an innings of a home Test before the score reached 40. The other instance came against South Africa in Hobart in 2016 (17 for 5).
Labuschagne’s agonising stay
* Marnus Labuschagne’s total of two runs is the fewest he has scored after facing 50 deliveries, with his previous lowest being five runs against England at The Oval in 2023.
Record-breaking day
* 17 wickets is the most to fall on the first day of a Test in Australia since 1952.
Record-breaking attendance
* 31,302 is the official attendance at the Optus Stadium on Day 1 – becoming the highest attended Test on Day 1 in Perth.