PERTH: The high drama and flow of wickets returned in the middle session Saturday after a morning lull, turning the Ashes series opener into a duel between the pace attacks of Australia and England.

Mitchell Starc had 10 wickets for the match including his career-best 7-58 in the first innings, starting Day 2 with a spectacular catch to remove Zac Crawley and also removing Joe Root and Ben Stokes as England was dismissed for 164 in its second innings.

That set Australia a target of 205 for victory, with three days and one session remaining Saturday. But after 30 wickets tumbled in five sessions, anything is possible.

England lost three wickets without scoring in a momentum-shifting spell after lunch and slumped to 104-7 before Gus Atkinson (37) and Brydon Carse (20) put on 50 in quick

See Full Page