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| Head brought up his 10th test ton in just 69 balls |
The first Ashes Test in Perth ended in a way few could have expected. In just two days, Australia pulled off a remarkable eight-wicket win over England, thanks to a fierce bowling display and a breathtaking century from Travis Head. What started as a promising position for England turned into a collapse that will be remembered for a long time. Australia needed 205 runs to win, and they chased the target with ease, powered by Head’s explosive 123 off 83 balls.
This match had everything—swinging conditions, fast scoring, quick wickets, and complete momentum shifts. What made it even more dramatic was that after the first session of day two, England looked in control. By the end of the second session, the game had flipped completely. Australia walked off as the winners, while England were left surprised at how quickly the match slipped away.
Australia Strike Back After Tough Start
Australia began day two in a difficult position. They restarted their first innings at 123 for 9, still under pressure from England’s strong bowling performance the day before. England’s fast bowlers had kept Australia down, creating constant problems with sharp pace, swing, and controlled length. Nathan Lyon and Brendan Doggett tried to hang around to reduce the deficit, but Australia were bowled out after adding just nine more runs.
Even though England earned a 40-run first-innings lead, the game was far from over. Australia’s bowlers, especially Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland, were waiting to strike.
Starc Starts the Damage Early
England’s second innings began on a dramatic note. Mitchell Starc, who had taken seven wickets in the first innings, entered the attack on a hat-trick. In his very first over, he sent Zak Crawley back for a duck. Crawley tried to drive, but the ball went straight to Starc, who grabbed a sharp return catch.
It was a historic moment. For the first time in Test history, both opening partnerships in the first three innings of a match resulted in zero runs.
Starc was in rhythm again, swinging the new ball dangerously. But this time, England survived the early scare. Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope paired up and added runs through positive running and smart strokes. It looked like England were rebuilding well. By lunch, England were 59 for 1, and with a lead of 99, they were in a strong position.
What followed completely changed the game.
Scott Boland Turns the Match Around
Scott Boland had gone wicketless in the first innings, giving away 62 runs in 10 overs. But in the second innings, he returned with tighter lines and better rhythm. His second spell sparked a collapse that England never recovered from.
Boland first removed Duckett, ending his partnership with Pope. Soon after, he dismissed Pope and Harry Brook in the same over. Both batters edged behind the stumps. Boland needed only 11 balls to take three wickets, and suddenly England were 76 for 4.
With pressure building, England’s batting became shaky. Joe Root, who had failed in the first innings, fell again—this time inside edging a delivery from Starc. Starc then removed Ben Stokes, continuing his dominance over the England captain. Stokes edged a delivery to second slip, marking the 11th time Starc has dismissed him in Test cricket.
England’s middle order had fallen apart. Four of their top six batters were caught behind as Australia stuck to disciplined bowling plans. England went from 65 for 1 to 76 for 5 in no time. The confident position they held at lunch had vanished.
England Collapse Under Pressure
England’s batting troubles continued. Jamie Smith survived an early scare when Usman Khawaja dropped him at slip, but he eventually fell to a short ball from Doggett after a long review. Gus Atkinson and other tailenders tried to defend, but Australia’s bowlers were relentless.
England did have one bright moment. Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson counterattacked together, scoring a quick 50-run partnership. Their aggressive approach forced Australia to shift to short-pitched bowling. But the resistance was short-lived. Boland got the last wicket and wrapped up England’s innings for 164. England had lost 9 wickets for just 99 runs in the session.
Australia needed 205 to win, a modest target, but given the match’s low scores and challenging conditions, it was not guaranteed. However, what happened next ended any hopes England had left.
Travis Head’s Explosive Century Leads the Chase
With regular opener Usman Khawaja struggling with back pain, Travis Head walked out to open the batting alongside debutant Jake Weatherald. Head had opened before in Asia but never in Australia. This time, he grabbed the opportunity and completely changed the game.
From the very first over, Head batted aggressively. His approach mirrored England’s modern batting style—high intent, fast scoring, and fearless strokeplay. Soon, he was punishing anything short, wide, or full. Mark Wood tried bowling short balls, but Head handled them with confidence. Ben Stokes tried to control the game with field changes, but nothing stopped Head’s flow.
Jake Weatherald, who had fallen for a duck in the first innings, supported Head well. He played some stylish drives and cuts before being dismissed for 23. But by then, Australia had already raced ahead.
Head smashed boundaries all around the ground. In one over, he hit Stokes for four consecutive boundaries, drawing loud cheers from the Perth crowd. He brought up his century off just 69 balls—the equal third-fastest Test century by an Australian.
It was a thrilling innings—full of power, timing, and confidence. Even when England bowled short, Head found ways to score. His century celebrations were calm and composed, marked by a few firm fist bumps with Marnus Labuschagne.
Head finally fell for 123 when he hit a ball straight into the deep, but by that time Australia were only 13 runs away from victory. His work was done.
Labuschagne Guides Australia Home
While Head took the lead, Marnus Labuschagne played a controlled knock at the other end. He scored an unbeaten 51 off 49 balls. His calm approach balanced Head’s aggression, giving Australia stability after Weatherald’s dismissal.
Steve Smith walked in and finished the chase with a single. The crowd erupted as Australia completed the run chase in just 28.2 overs, scoring at more than seven runs per over.
A Test Match Finished in Two Days
Only a few Tests in history have ended inside two days, and this match now joins that rare list. The fast finish was due to a combination of pace-friendly conditions, attacking batting approaches, and disciplined bowling spells.
Australia’s bowlers, especially Starc and Boland, set the stage with their aggression and accuracy. Doggett impressed on debut with five wickets in the match. Then Travis Head delivered the knockout punch with his remarkable hundred.
For England, the match will raise questions about their shot selection, patience, and ability to handle pressure in tough Australian conditions. They had strong moments in both innings but could not sustain them.
Conclusion
This Test will be remembered for its dramatic swings, rapid scoring, and unexpected result. Australia looked in trouble early in the match, but their bowlers turned things around, and Travis Head’s fearless batting sealed a memorable victory.
With more Ashes Tests to come, England must regroup quickly. Australia, on the other hand, will carry confidence into the next match after a dominant all-around performance.
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