Australia crushed England in the first Ashes Test. The match ended in just two days. Australia won by a commanding eight wickets. They had three full days to spare.
The result came from an extraordinary performance in Perth. Fast bowlers reigned supreme throughout the contest. A total of 30 wickets tumbled in only 113 overs. This accounted for 468 runs across three innings. Day 1 was exceptional, seeing 19 wickets fall. Day 2 added 11 more before the tea break.
The star of the Australian innings was Travis Head. He was promoted to a makeshift opener role. This happened after Usman Khawaja suffered an injury. Head adopted a “Bazball” approach against the inventors. He smashed a blistering century off just 69 balls. This was the fastest ever in a fourth-innings chase.
Australia needed 205 runs for victory. Head attacked from the first ball. He hammered 123 runs from 83 deliveries. His innings was filled with explosive shots. He hit 16 boundaries and four massive sixes. Head’s aggressive play dismantled the English bowling attack.
He was finally dismissed in the outfield. Australia was then on the brink of victory. They needed only 13 more runs. Marnus Labuschagne provided the finishing touch. He was unbeaten on 51 runs. Labuschagne levelled the scores with a spectacular six.
Australia reached the target comfortably at 205 for 2. The stunning victory gives Australia a vital early lead in the 2025-26 Ashes series. Mitchell Starc was named Player of the Match for his ten-wicket haul. England will need a dramatic change in tactics to fight back.
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