Could Australia Secure an Eight-Wicket Victory in Perth Thanks to Head and Starc?
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Synopsis
In a thrilling start to the Ashes series, Australia claimed an impressive eight-wicket victory in Perth, thanks to Travis Head's explosive century and Mitchell Starc's exceptional bowling. England's collapse leaves them with much to ponder as they prepare for the upcoming Test in Brisbane. Can they bounce back?
Key Takeaways
- Travis Head's
- Mitchell Starc
- England's batting collapse raises concerns for their upcoming matches.
- Australia leads the five-Test series 1-0 after this match.
- Fans eagerly await the next Test in Brisbane.
Perth, Nov 22 (NationPress) England faced a significant setback in the initial Ashes Test as Travis Head’s remarkable century propelled Australia to a stunning comeback victory in Perth this past Saturday.
This match marked the first Ashes contest to conclude in under two days since 1921, with Head demolishing England’s bowling attack with an astonishing 69-ball century - the second-fastest in Ashes history. His score of 123 guided Australia to their target of 205 in a mere 28.2 overs, clinching an eight-wicket triumph and establishing a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
The shift in momentum was dramatic. Australia had initially trailed by 40 runs in the first innings and found themselves effectively 105 runs behind when England advanced to 65-1 shortly after lunch, only for the match to unravel for the visitors. Mitchell Starc’s impressive 10-wicket haul, paired with a series of ill-advised shots from the English batsmen and a strategic Australian decision to promote Head up the batting order, emphasized England’s ongoing difficulties on Australian soil - they have now lost 14 and drawn two of 16 Tests in Australia since 2011.
A shocking collapse of six wickets for just 39 runs over 11 overs - including a brutal spell of 3-0 in just six balls that accounted for Ollie Pope, Harry Brook, and Joe Root - left England in disarray. Despite a momentary rally from Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse, who combined for a fifty-run partnership, England was bowled out for 164 in 34.4 overs, losing their last nine wickets for 99 runs.
In pursuit of what would have been the highest total of the match, Australia instead cruised to victory as Head delivered one of the most memorable knocks in Ashes history. England’s bowlers, who had shown dominance the previous day, were dismantled, while the Perth crowd enjoyed the lopsided conclusion.
The only question left was whether the match would extend into a third day. Head ensured it wouldn’t, providing England with ample time to ponder their strategy ahead of the day-night second Test in Brisbane on December 4.
Brief Scores: England 172 (Harry Brook 52; Mitchell Starc 7-58) & 164 (Gus Atkinson 37; Scott Boland 4-33) lost to Australia 132 (Alex Carey 26; Ben Stokes 5-23) & 205/2 (Travis Head 123; Brydon Carse 2-44) by eight wickets.
Point of View
It’s evident that Australia’s performance in this Ashes opener was nothing short of remarkable. Travis Head's batting and Mitchell Starc's bowling showcased their dominance, while England's inability to adapt raises concerns about their future in this series. The upcoming Tests will be crucial in determining their resilience.
NationPress
23/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What contributed to Australia's victory in the first Ashes Test?
Travis Head's explosive century and Mitchell Starc's exceptional bowling were key factors in Australia's eight-wicket victory over England.
How did England perform in the match?
England struggled significantly, collapsing for 164 runs in their second innings after a promising start, highlighting ongoing issues with their batting lineup.
When is the next Ashes Test scheduled?
The second Test of the Ashes series is set to take place in Brisbane on December 4.
