India, Nov. 21 -- Mitchell Starc insisted there was nothing wrong with the Perth Stadium surface despite an extraordinary 19 wickets falling on the opening day of the first Ashes Test - the most to tumble on Day 1 of an Ashes match in 100 years - as he celebrated one of the finest returns of his career.

The 35-year-old left-armer was the standout performer in a day of pace-bowling carnage, claiming 7-58 to demolish England for 172 and keep Australia in the contest before the visitors' own quicks hit back to leave the hosts wobbling at 123-9 by stumps, still 49 runs behind.

Starc struck instantly, removing Zak Crawley in the first over of the match, and was near-unplayable in bursts as he sliced through England's top and middle order. Bu...