Head’s 69-Ball Ton Powers Australia to Sensational Two-Day Ashes Win
Australia sealed one of the most extraordinary victories in Ashes history as the opening Test in Perth finished inside two days, with Travis Head’s blistering 69-ball century capping a dominant eight-wicket win over England.
In a dramatic turnaround at Perth Stadium, England collapsed spectacularly after starting day two in a position of control. After reaching 65 for 1 in their second innings with a lead of 105, the visitors lost 4 for 11 in the space of 19 balls as Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc ripped through the batting order. England were eventually dismissed after losing 9 for 99 in a chaotic middle session that left their Ashes hopes immediately under strain.
Set 205 for victory, Australia made a mockery of the target, racing to the total in just 28.2 overs at more than seven runs an over. With regular opener Usman Khawaja hampered by back spasms, Head was promoted to open and responded with one of the most explosive innings of his Test career. His 123 off 83 balls—reaching his century from just 69 deliveries, the equal third-fastest by an Australian in Tests—left England’s bowlers stunned.
Head dominated from the outset, taking on the short-pitched tactics of Mark Wood and hammering Ben Stokes for four boundaries in a single over. His audacious strokeplay drew roars from the 49,983-strong crowd, though his own celebration upon reaching three figures was a restrained flurry of fistbumps. He eventually holed out with the finish line in sight, but the result had long been inevitable.
Debutant Jake Weatherald, who fell for a second-ball duck in the first innings, contributed a composed 23 before falling to Brydon Carse. Marnus Labuschagne guided the chase home with an unbeaten 51 from 49 balls, while captain Steven Smith struck the winning run to ignite jubilant scenes among the Australian team.
Earlier, Boland redeemed a wayward first innings (0-62 off 10 overs) by tightening his length and triggering England’s dramatic collapse. He removed Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook in quick succession, showcasing the rhythm that has made him a constant threat in Australian conditions.
Starc, backing up after his career-best 7 for 58 in England’s first innings, delivered another decisive burst. He removed Joe Root—who endured a double failure—and then snared Stokes for the 11th time in Test cricket. Brendan Doggett, on debut, mopped up the tail with short-ball pressure and finished with five wickets in a memorable maiden Test.
A brief counterattack from Carse and Gus Atkinson, who added 47, was England’s only resistance in an otherwise chastening session.
The remarkable two-day finish leaves Australia buoyant and England already searching for answers, their familiar pattern of collapses on Australian soil threatening to derail their Ashes ambitions once again.
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