Australia Seal Two-Day Win After England Collapse in Perth

Australia stormed to an emphatic 8-wicket win in Perth as the 1st Ashes Test ended in two dramatic days. England walked in on the morning of Day 2 with momentum, control, and a 105-run lead at 65 for 1. Five chaotic hours later, they walked off stunned. Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc ripped through England’s second innings, and Travis Head completed the ambush with a stunning century that turned the contest into a one-sided match.

England’s Collapse Flips the Match

England held the advantage early in the day. Duckett and Pope played with assurance and extended the lead. Then Boland changed everything with a subtle shift in length and a touch of discipline. He removed Duckett at second slip and cracked open the innings. England wobbled at 65 for 2. Soon after, they crumbled completely.

Boland and Starc dismantled the middle order with relentless seam movement. Root attempted an extravagant drive and chopped on. Stokes followed under pressure. England lost 4 for 12 and never recovered. Their innings ended in 164 runs of chaos, leaving Australia with a target of 205 that looked competitive only on a fresh scoreboard.

Head Launches a Counterattack

Travis Head made a mockery of the scenario. He belted 123 off 83 balls with clean striking, ruthless intent, and no regard for the reputations of England’s quicks. He reached his century from 69 balls, the joint-third-fastest by an Australian in Tests. He tore into Mark Wood’s bouncers and punished Ben Stokes with four boundaries in one over. Every mistimed length met the off-side fence. Every short ball disappeared.

The 50,000-strong crowd roared as Head turned the chase into a demolition. His celebration was understated, only a few sharp fistbumps, but the impact echoed through the stands. His innings shattered England’s belief and electrified Australia’s dressing room.

Debutant Jake Weatherald endured a tough start to Test cricket after a second-ball duck in the first innings. But Head’s assault eased the tension around him. Weatherald settled, played crisp drives, and offered support in a 75-run opening stand before Brydon Carse bounced him out for 23. The wicket barely slowed Australia, who kept the scoring rate above seven an over.

Marnus and Smith Finish the Job

Marnus Labuschagne walked in with a simple brief: ride the momentum and close the game. He did exactly that. He stroked 51 from 49 balls with confidence and composure. Head finally holed out with Australia 13 away, but the result was already sealed. Steven Smith nudged the winning run and sealed a victory that felt impossible earlier in the day.

England walked into Perth with pace, swagger, and ambition. They leave with frustration and questions. Their attack showed menace on Day 1 but lost discipline exactly when needed. Their batting cracked under pressure. Their decision-making evaporated in a session that defined the match.

Australia claimed an Ashes opener inside two days for the first time in decades. England must reset quickly. Australia, meanwhile, carries a tidal wave of confidence into the second Test of Ashes 2025.

Players of the match: Mitchell Starc (7/58 & 3/55)