Travis Head smashed one of the most destructive innings in Ashes history, blasting a 69-ball century as Australia chased down 205 to humiliate England by eight wickets and complete the first Test in just two days.
The Perth Stadium surface was far from easy. Steep bounce and sharp movement made strokeplay treacherous throughout the match. Australia had been bowled out for a modest 132 on the opening day, handing England a valuable 40-run lead and the upper hand.
Yet the contest turned dramatically on the second afternoon. England’s second innings fell apart after a promising start, collapsing from 65-1 to 164 all out in 34.4 overs. Mitchell Starc claimed 4-37 to finish with ten wickets in the match, while Scott Boland’s three-wicket burst accelerated the slide. England’s last nine wickets tumbled for 99 runs, their two completed innings lasting only 67.3 overs, the fewest by any side in a Test since 1904.
England set the target of 205 on a still-demanding pitch, Australia required aggression and clarity. With Usman Khawaja injured, Travis Head was promoted to open. What followed was breathtaking. The left-hander tore into England’s attack, racing to a century from just 69 deliveries, the second-fastest in Ashes history and joint-quickest ever by an Australian opener. He finished unbeaten on 123 from 83 balls, striking 16 fours and four sixes, sharing an unbroken 117-run stand with Marnus Labuschagne (51*).
Stand-in captain Steve Smith described Head’s knock as “one of the great Ashes innings”, while a stunned Ben Stokes admitted England had been “blown away” by a performance that turned their own attacking philosophy against them.
Australia sealed victory inside 28.2 overs, recording the shortest completed Ashes Test in 137 years. They take a 1-0 lead into the second Test at the Gabba starting 1 December, with Pat Cummins expected to return from injury.
On a surface that exposed almost every other batter, Head’s power, precision and fearless intent proved decisive, delivering a statement win that has reignited the 2025-26 Ashes.
