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Carse Lauds ‘phenomenal’ Stokes After 19-wicket Ashes Opener
After being skittled for just 172 in 32.5 overs — England’s second-shortest Ashes innings in history — the visitors roared back to reduce Australia to 123 for 9, leaving the hosts trailing by 49 heading into day two. Carse spearheaded the revival by dismissing Steven Smith and Usman Khawaja, before Stokes produced a spell for the ages, claiming 5 for 45 in ten overs to shred Australia’s lower middle order.
Carse revealed that Stokes had set the tone for the day even before a ball was bowled, insisting the squad walk together to the ground, a decision that added to the high-voltage atmosphere created by over 51,000 spectators. “Stokesy came up with that idea last night,” Carse said. “We came in at about 8.30 am because if we were half an hour later, we might have got a bit more stick from the Aussie fans. It was electric… the energy throughout the day was awesome.”
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