England’s average bowling speed of 87.6mph was their fastest on record and they combined pace with skill.
In the first 25 overs of their innings Australia were drawn into false shots from more than 40% of the deliveries they faced.
Since such data was collected (2006), that is the fifth-highest percentage of false shots drawn by any bowling team in Test cricket in the first 25 overs of an innings.
Stokes then took over with a five-wicket haul in just 36 balls – the fifth-fastest England bowler to five wickets in an innings.
“There was some brilliant bowling – there’s a bit of movement and steep bounce on this Perth pitch,” added Vaughan.
“You need bowlers to get you out of trouble and all five quick bowlers bowled with skill, pace and were intimidating.
“You can scar a team very early in a series. There were some good tactics by England and tactical manovures they’ll take forward to the second innings and beyond.
“When England were 160-5, I thought go and get 250 because I have seen enough cricket here to know 250 is a good score in the first innings here.
“This pitch might flatten out a bit and the cracks might arrive but par isn’t 350.”
