Travis Head didn’t just bat—he detonated. On November 22, 2025, at Perth Stadium, the Australia national cricket team wrapped up a stunning eight-wicket victory over England in just two days, the fastest Ashes win in nearly 150 years. Head’s blistering 123 off 83 balls—16 fours, 4 sixes, strike rate of 148.19—wasn’t just a century. It was a statement. And with Mitchell Starc ripping through England’s lineup for 10 wickets in the match (7/58 and 3/55), Australia didn’t just win—they humiliated. The result? A 1-0 lead in the Ashes 2025-26 series, with the urn now within reach after just one Test.
Perth’s Fastest Ashes Test Ever
Seventeen wickets fell on Day 1. Nineteen. That’s not a collapse—it’s a massacre. England, after winning the toss, were bowled out for 172. Then Australia, chasing a modest 132, were skittled for 132 in reply. It felt like chaos. But it was only the prelude. On Day 2, England’s second innings crumbled again, this time for 164. Ben Stokes, England’s captain and Durham County Cricket Club stalwart, took five wickets himself, but his team’s batting was in tatters. Gus Atkinson’s 37 and Ollie Pope’s 33 were the only bright spots. Meanwhile, Starc and Scott Boland (4/33) and Brendan Doggett (3/55) made the English top order look like club cricketers.
Then came Head. The target? 205. The opener? Jake Weatherald, out for 23. Enter Head. The crowd, 58,000 strong in Burswood, fell silent as he stepped in. Then—boom. Boundaries flew. The ball screamed off his bat. He reached his century in 69 balls, the second-fastest in Ashes history for Australia, behind only Adam Gilchrist’s 57-ball blitz in 2006. By the time he was caught behind off Jofra Archer, the match was already over. Australia had reached the target in 28.2 overs. Two days. Eight wickets. No drama. Just dominance.
Starc’s Masterclass and the Record Book
Mitchell Starc didn’t just take wickets—he rewrote history. His 10-wicket match haul was his fifth in Test cricket, moving him into the top five all-time Australian wicket-takers in the format. His first innings figures of 7/58 were his best ever in Test cricket. He bowled with pace, swing, and precision, exploiting Perth’s seaming surface like a surgeon. He didn’t just outperform England’s batsmen—he made them question their technique. The cricket world watched. Social media exploded. 9 News Australia called it a "blistering knock" that left England "in shock."
Starc’s performance echoed the greats: Shane Warne’s 12/120 in 1993, Glenn McGrath’s 10/122 in 2005. But this was different. It was faster. More brutal. And it came against a team that had, just months ago, beaten Australia in the World Test Championship final. The twist? England’s bowling attack—Stokes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer—wasn’t bad. It was just outgunned. And outclassed.
England’s Crisis: Stokes Out, Batting in Ruins
By the final session, the focus had shifted from Head to England’s future. Post-match, the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed Ben Stokes would undergo a fitness assessment ahead of the second Test. He had strained his left hamstring during the Perth match. That’s bad news. But worse? The batting. England’s top order—Haseeb Hameed, Zak Crawley, Joe Root—combined for just 78 runs across both innings. Their collective average? 15.6. That’s not a slump. That’s a collapse.
Coach Brendon McCullum’s aggressive philosophy is under fire. England came into the series wanting to play with freedom. But freedom without technique is just chaos. They didn’t just lose—they looked unprepared. The fact that only two players passed 30 across two innings speaks volumes. And with Stokes possibly sidelined, who leads them in Brisbane? Ben Duckett? Ollie Pope? The uncertainty is palpable.
What This Means for the Ashes
Australia now needs just one more win to retain the Ashes. They’ve already won the first Test in the fastest possible time. The next match, starting December 4 at The Gabba in Brisbane, will be pivotal. Will England adjust? Or will they crumble again? The pitch in Brisbane is traditionally faster, more abrasive. Starc will thrive. Head will be hungry. And England? They’re reeling.
Perth Stadium, opened in 2018 and hosting its second Ashes Test in 2025, has become Australia’s fortress. The 60,000-capacity arena roared for two days straight. The atmosphere? Electric. The result? Historic. Only one Ashes Test in history—England’s 1882 defeat at The Oval—ended faster. This one, however, was more brutal. More complete.
Behind the Numbers
- Travis Head’s 123 off 83 balls: highest strike rate for any Ashes century facing 50+ balls
- Mitchell Starc’s 10-wicket match haul: fifth in his Test career
- 19 wickets on Day 1: one of the most wicket-heavy first days in Ashes history
- Australia’s win in 28.2 overs: second-quickest Ashes Test victory by days played
- England’s total across two innings: 336 runs in 164.2 overs (average 2.04 runs per over)
There’s no sugarcoating it: Australia are the better team. And they’re playing with a ferocity we haven’t seen since 2019. The Ashes aren’t just alive—they’re being redefined.
Frequently Asked Questions
How rare is a two-day Ashes Test win?
Only once before—in 1882 at The Oval—has an Ashes Test ended in a single day. This 2025-26 Perth Test, concluded in two days, is now the second-quickest in history. In modern cricket, matches lasting under three days are extremely rare, especially in Test cricket, where pitches are often slower and batting conditions more forgiving. This result was fueled by a seaming Perth pitch and England’s catastrophic batting collapse.
Why was Travis Head’s century so significant?
Head’s 123 off 83 balls had the highest strike rate (148.19) ever recorded for an Ashes century by a batsman facing more than 50 balls. Only Adam Gilchrist’s 57-ball century in 2006 was faster. But unlike Gilchrist, Head did it under immense pressure—after Australia’s own batting collapse—and with the series on the line. His innings wasn’t just aggressive—it was clinical, turning a 205-run target into a 28-over formality.
What’s the impact of Ben Stokes’ hamstring injury?
Stokes’ injury is a massive blow. As England’s captain and their most consistent all-rounder, his absence could destabilize their batting order and leadership. He’s their best chance of stabilizing the innings and inspiring confidence. With no clear replacement ready, England may be forced to promote a debutant or reshuffle their top order—exactly what they can’t afford after losing 19 wickets in two days.
How does Starc’s performance compare to past Ashes legends?
Starc’s 10-wicket haul places him among Australia’s elite—joining Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, and Dennis Lillee. His 7/58 in the first innings was his best Test figures ever. Unlike Warne’s spin magic or McGrath’s relentless line, Starc’s power and swing made him nearly unplayable on Perth’s green top. His five 10-wicket matches in Tests tie him with Mitchell Johnson for second-most by an Australian, behind only Lillee’s six.
What’s next for the Ashes series?
The second Test begins December 4 at The Gabba in Brisbane, known for its fast, bouncy pitch. Australia will be confident, but England must respond—or risk surrendering the urn before Christmas. The third Test in Melbourne (Dec 26), Sydney (Jan 4), and Adelaide (Jan 23) remain scheduled, but with Australia leading 1-0, they only need one more win to retain the Ashes. The pressure is now entirely on England.
Why did England’s batting fail so badly?
England’s top order lacked discipline against pace and swing. They chased bad balls, played across the line, and failed to adjust to the seaming Perth conditions. Only two batsmen reached 30 across both innings. Their strategy—attacking from ball one—backfired spectacularly. Against Starc and Boland, aggression without technique is suicide. The ECB now faces a crisis of identity: should they rebuild for patience or double down on aggression?
