Australia defeated England by eight wickets in the first Test at Perth to take a commanding 1-0 lead in the Ashes 2025–26. Australia won in two days thanks to Travis Head‘s 69-ball century, the second-fastest in Ashes history, which made the chase appear simple. In addition to shattering a record that had stood for 127 years, his innings produced one of the most memorable match-winning knocks in Ashes cricket history.
Australia collapsed to 132 after England bundled out for 172 in the first innings of the Perth Test. The hosts set a goal of 205 after the visitors gave up their lead with yet another batting meltdown, achieving just 164. Due to a niggle that prevented Usman Khawaja from opening, Australia chose Head, who left with Jake Weatherald. In just 36 balls, the southpaw reached his fifty.
Directly behind Adam Gilchrist
He achieved his century in just 69 deliveries, which was the second-fastest Ashes century ever, only surpassed by Adam Gilchrist’s famous 57-ball century in 2006 and Gilbert Jessop’s 76-ball feat from 1902. Additionally, Joe Darling’s 1898 record for the fastest century by an opener in an Ashes chase in the fourth innings was broken with the effort. It was all but settled even after he was dismissed for a brilliant 123 off 83 balls. Australia easily won the chase in just 28.2 overs at a run rate of 7.23 thanks to Marnus Labuschagne’s undefeated 51 not out.
Travis Head stitched a 75-run opening partnership with Weatherald, hitting 12 fours and four sixes.
Scott Boland (4/33), Brendan Doggett (3/51) and Mitchell Starc (3/55) worked in unison to destroy England’s middle order after lunch earlier in the day. For eleven runs, England lost five wickets. Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse’s counterattack was the only thing that brought the total down to 164. Player of the Match was to Starc, who claimed 10 wickets in both innings. On December 4, the two sides will travel to Brisbane for the Day-Night Test.
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