Australia pulled off a sensational two-day victory in Perth as Travis Head’s explosive 123 off 83 balls led a blistering chase that crushed England by eight wickets in the opening Ashes Test.
England started Day 2 in control, but their position evaporated in a chaotic middle session where they collapsed from 65 for 1 to 164 all out, losing 9 for 99 against the relentless pace of Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc. Starc finished with 10 wickets in the match, ripping through England’s middle order in a spell that completely changed the game.
Chasing 205, Australia attacked from the outset. Promoted opener Head unleashed one of the great Ashes counterpunches, reaching a 69-ball century, the equal-third fastest for Australia in Tests. He hammered England’s pacers to all parts of Perth Stadium, while Marnus Labuschagne added a fluent unbeaten 51 to seal the chase in just 28.2 overs at over seven runs an over.
The match had swung dramatically hours earlier when Boland struck twice in an over to remove Ollie Pope and Harry Brook, before Starc dismissed Joe Root and Ben Stokes in quick succession. England’s tail briefly resisted through Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson, but debutant Brendan Doggett wrapped up the innings with a five-wicket haul (2/27 & 3-51).
Head’s fireworks ensured the target was never in doubt, ending a remarkable Test that lasted less than two days and handed Australia a commanding 1-0 lead in the Ashes.
