1st Test, Ashes 2025-26: Travis Head's blazing 69-ball ton hands Australia 8-wicket victory within two days

Travis Head was promoted to open for Australia in the first Ashes Test at Perth, delivering a spectacular innings of 123 off 83 balls, the second fastest century in Ashes history.

Head's 123 from 83 balls helped Australia win the Test match before the end of Day 2. Image | cricket.com.au

In a masterstroke of tactical brilliance, Travis Head was promoted to open the batting for Australia in their chase during the first Ashes Test at Perth’s Optus Stadium, an audacious decision that instantly paid off spectacularly. Head produced a devastating innings, scoring a ton off just 69 balls, marking the second fastest century in Ashes history, placing him just behind Adam Gilchrist’s legendary 57-ball century scored at the same venue during the 2006-07 series.

How to watch the Ashes 2025 Test series?

Cricket fans in India can watch the Ashes 2025 Test series live on JioHotstar via OTTplay Premium.

Head's miraculous effort on a pitch that had EVERYTHING

From the moment he strode out alongside stand-in opener Jake Weatherald, it was clear this innings would be special. Head, usually a middle-order batter, treated the new ball like a net session, dazzling the packed stadium with ruthless shot-making and fearless intent.

His 36-ball fifty was the quickest by an Australian opener in Ashes cricket, highlighted by a flurry of boundaries that had the home crowd roaring; pulsating cover drives, powerful pulls, and audacious uppercuts off a bewildered England attack.

Head was eventually dismissed by Brydon Carse on 123 from 83 balls, but it was already too late for England to make a comeback in the match.

Head’s assault dismantled England’s hopes as Australia chased down the total, which made the first Test end in two days, a rare occasion in Ashes history.

Read also: Full list of Indian cricket stadiums which has hosted Test matches.

Aussie bowlers kept England to a low score

The match itself began under ominous skies, with Australia inserting England on a lively Perth deck. England’s much-vaunted Bazball approach under captain Ben Stokes started brightly but quickly fell apart against the fierce Australian pace attack. Scott Boland’s incisive 4 for 33 and Mitchell Starc’s devastating haul of 10 wickets combined to skittle England for 172.

Australia stumbled in reply, faltering at 132 all out, with Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson shining with the ball for England. Yet, a gritty tail fight hinted at resilience before the innings closed. England’s second innings followed a similar pattern: a bright start dissolved into collapse, with Starc and Boland again wreaking havoc, dismissing the visitors for 164 and setting Australia a manageable target.

Usman Khawaja’s absence due to back issues led stand-in captain Steve Smith to gamble on Head’s white-ball explosiveness as an opener—an unconventional but inspired call. The move paid rich dividends, with Head's explosive strokeplay stealing the show and leaving England struggling to find answers.

Marnus Labuschagne's unbeaten 51, along with Head's 123 from 83 balls, helped Australia beat England by 8 wickets and take a 1-0 lead in the Ashes 2025-26.

Share