England were left shell-shocked as Australia produced a breathtaking fightback to win the first Ashes Test in Perth, built around Travis Head’s match-defining century. Australia resumed Day 2 at 123-9 in their first innings and added only nine runs, leaving England a 40-run advantage. The visitors then looked comfortable at 65-1 in their second innings, but Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland had other ideas, striking four times in as many overs to rip the game open.
A stubborn late stand between Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse added 50 for the eighth wicket and briefly steadied England, but the lower order fell cheaply and the tourists were bowled out for 164 at tea. That collapse handed Australia a chaseable 205 and the platform for the home side to stage a dramatic turnaround.
Travis Head answered emphatically. He broke the contest with a 123-run innings from 83 balls, anchored the chase with authority, and guided Australia to victory with eight wickets in hand. Head’s century was the backbone of a clinical finish and underscored his status as a genuine match-winner in this Ashes series.
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Before play, former England captain Michael Vaughan had predicted England would control the day; that forecast was emphatically overturned. Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin was quick to lampoon Vaughan’s call on social media after Head’s heroics ended England’s hopes.
“Full control” full of doubts🤓 https://t.co/8I6auktBxc
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) November 22, 2025
Australia’s fast bowlers set the tone across the match. Starc and Boland produced ruthless spells, combining for match figures of 10 for 113, while Head’s bat provided the killer blow. “Wow, what a couple of days,” Head said after the win. “The emotions are pretty high — to contribute like that in an Ashes Test feels very special.”
WATCH – Travis Head Shatters Historic Ashes Record With Blazing Fastest Fourth-Innings Ton
The Perth Test will be remembered as a classic turnaround — a reminder that momentum can swing wildly in Test cricket, and that one big innings can change everything. Pure Ashes theatre.
