Ashes: Perth Test Ends in Just Two Days, Australia Win by 8 Wickets with Head’s Blazing Century

Perth (The Uttam Hindu): Australia defeated England by 8 wickets in the first Test of the 2025–26 Ashes series at Perth Stadium, taking a 1–0 lead in the five-match contest. The match lasted only two days. England won the toss and chose to bat first but were bowled out for just 172 in 32.5 overs. Harry Brook top-scored with 52, while Ollie Pope contributed 46. For Australia, Mitchell Starc delivered a brilliant spell, taking 7 wickets for 58 runs in 12.5 overs. Brendan Doggett picked up 2 wickets, and Cameron Green took 1.

In reply, Australia collapsed for 132. Alex Carey scored 26 and Cameron Green added 24 runs. England’s captain Ben Stokes led the bowling attack with 5 wickets for 23 runs in 6 overs, while Brydon Carse claimed 3 wickets. England secured a first-innings lead of 40 runs. In their second innings, England managed 164 runs, setting a target of 205 for Australia.

In England’s second innings, Gus Atkinson scored the highest 37 runs followed by Ollie Pope with 33 and Ben Duckett with 28. Mitchell Starc and Brendan Doggett took 3 wickets each, while Scott Boland claimed 4 wickets.

A total of 30 wickets fell in just five sessions, raising doubts about how easily Australia could chase 205. But the opening pair gave the hosts a strong start and set up the chase perfectly.

Travis Head and Jack Weatherald added 75 runs in 11.3 overs. Weatherald scored 23 runs off 34 balls before getting out. After that, Marnus Labuschagne joined Head and together they built a century stand that took Australia close to victory. Travis Head played a stunning innings of 123 runs off 83 balls, hitting 4 sixes and 16 fours, while Labuschagne remained unbeaten on 51.