Travis Head smashed a blistering 69-ball century to propel Australia to an eight-wicket win in the opening Ashes Test, sealing the match inside two dramatic days at Perth Stadium.
Chasing 205, Head’s explosive 123 set the tone as Australia cruised home, with Marnus Labuschagne unbeaten on 51 and Steve Smith on two. It marked a commanding start to the five-match series.
“Wow, what a couple of days. It’s been unbelievable,” Head said afterwards. “England were excellent yesterday and dragged themselves back into it, so we knew we couldn’t afford to let the game slip. To contribute like that feels pretty special.”
Head’s dominance came only after Australia’s bowlers tore through England in spectacular fashion. The tourists, well placed at 65-1 and steadily building their lead, were ambushed by Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc, who took four wickets in as many overs.
Boland struck first, removing Ben Duckett (28), Ollie Pope (33) and Harry Brook (0) within 11 balls. Two deliveries later, Starc sent Joe Root back for eight. When he also dismissed Ben Stokes for two, England were reeling at 88-6.
Starc’s two wickets in the innings completed a 10-wicket match haul, only the third of his career after his 7-58 on day one.
A fighting 50-run stand between Gus Atkinson (37) and Brydon Carse (20) gave England brief respite, but they were bowled out for 164 at tea.
“A little bit shell-shocked,” admitted Stokes. “Travis Head was phenomenal. We tried different plans, but he was going like a train. When he plays like that, he’s very hard to stop.”
With Usman Khawaja again struggling with back stiffness, Australia sent out Head to open the chase. It proved a masterstroke. Showing no sign of nerves, he attacked from the outset, crunching boundaries and launching sixes off Carse and Mark Wood.
He raced to fifty in just 36 balls, crossing 4,000 Test runs along the way. Debutant Jake Weatherald briefly joined the assault but fell for 23 to a mistimed pull.
Head continued unfazed, hammering four boundaries in a single Stokes over and launching Jofra Archer back over his head for six to reach his 10th Test hundred. He eventually fell going for another big hit, again off Carse.
Earlier, Australia resumed on 123-9 and managed only nine more runs, bowled out for 132. Stokes (5-23 off 36 balls) had been the standout performer, giving England a golden chance to seal a rare away win. England’s own 172 on day one had been built in the shadow of Starc’s brilliance.
The left-armer struck immediately in England’s second innings, removing Zak Crawley for a pair with a brilliant diving caught-and-bowled. Duckett and Pope steadied to reach lunch at 59-1, but once Boland found his rhythm, the visitors collapsed.
Jamie Smith (15), Carse and Archer (5) were cleaned up by Brendan Doggett, ending England’s resistance and leaving Australia with a modest target that Head demolished with ruthless efficiency.
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