PERTH - Australia's pace spearhead Mitchell Starc stood tall with his career best bowling figures of seven for 58 to help skittle England for 172 on the first day of the Ashes opener on Friday.

The 35-year-old was leading the attack in the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, the two other members of the pace trio that has kept Australia on the front foot for a decade.