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Travis Head slammed a stunning century, the second-fastest in Ashes history, to help Australia beat England by 8 wickets in the first Test of Ashes 2025-26 at the Perth Stadium in Perth on Saturday, November 22. After Mitchell Starc's heroics with the ball, Head rose to the occasion with a remarkable 123-run knock in Australia's second innings to help the hosts make light work of the 205-run target in their second innings and wrap up a thumping win inside two days.
It was one of the finest knocks in Ashes history by Head, who turned England's 'Bazball' on the visitors to take Australia home in dominant fashion. It was not expected to be an easy chase for the hosts after they were handed a target of 205 runs in their second innings, following three innings of complete domination by pacers in the Test match.
However, Head turned the game on its head with his sensational knock as he took the England bowlers to the cleaners. Promoted as an opener in the absence of injured Usman Khawaja, Head took the visitors by surprise with his incredible onslaught in Perth. He raced to his fifty off just 36 balls, before completing his century off 69 deliveries.
Head recorded the second-fastest ton in Ashes history, only behind Adam Gilchrist's 57-ball ton against England in Perth in the 2006-07 Ashes series. The left-hander smashed the joint-fastest century by an opener in Tests alongside David Warner (69 balls against India) and the fastest-ever by any batter in the 4th innings of a Test match.
Head finished with a whirlwind 123 off just 83 balls, laced with 16 fours and four sixes. After a 75-run opening stand with Weatherald, Head added 117 runs for the second wicket with Marnus Labuschagne, who remained unbeaten on 51 off 49 balls. Head was dismissed with Australia on 192, just 13 runs away from victory.
His sensational knock helped the hosts complete the chase inside just 28.2 overs to register a commanding 8-wicket victory. It was an excellent display of attacking batsmanship from the makeshift Australian opener, who hammered the ball to all parts of the ground en route to his 10th century in Tests and his third against England in the Ashes.
While Head stole the show with the bat, Mitchell Starc was arguably the pick of the bowlers for Australia with his 10-wicket match haul in the Perth Test. On a surface that had enough help for the fast bowlers, Starz sizzled on Day 1 as he ran through the England batting line-up with a magnificent seven-wicket haul.
Starc finished with excellent figures of 7/58 in his 12.5 overs as England were bundled out for 172 runs in their first innings. Harry Brook top-scored for the visitors with his brilliant 52 off 61 balls, while Ollie Pope contributed with a valuable 46. Starc continued his impressive run with a three-wicket haul in England's second innings to finish the match with a 10-wicket haul.
Starc picked up three wickets, while Scott Boland bagged four to help Australia skittle out England for 164 runs after they managed to secure a 40-run lead by bowling out the hosts for 132 runs in their first innings. England set up a tricky 205-run target for Australia in their second innings, however, it didn't prove enough as Head's stunning ton took Australia home comfortably.
With the win, Australia extended their unbeaten run against England at home in the Ashes. Australia have not lost a home Test against England in the Ashes since their defeat in the 2010-11 series. Australia have been unbeaten in 16 Tests against England at home with 14 wins and two draws to their name.
