Ashes 2025: Starc's Historic 10-Fer, Head's Ton Help Australia Outclass England To Record Third-Fastest Win In Ashes History

Ashes 2025-26, Australia beat England in 1st Test: Australia defeated England by 8 wickets in the first Test of the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Saturday. They chase down the 205-run target in 28.2 overs to go 1-0 up in the five-match series, wrapping things up in just two days. Travis Head was the star performer for the Aussies, having smashed a match-winning century.

Chasing the challenging target, Australia sent Travis Head to open along with Jake Weatherald. The hosts were off to a remarkable start as Head and Weatherald stitched a 75-run opening stand. While Head continued his carnage, smashing the English bowlers all around the park, Weatherald was dismissed for 23 runs.

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Head kept the attack going at the other end, and even Marnus Labuschagne joined the party. The left-handed batter went on to smash a magnificent century in just 69 balls. His effort is the second-fastest century in Ashes Test history. The senior batter ended up playing a memorable knock of 123 runs in 83 balls on the back of 16 fours and four boundaries. Marnus Labuschagne stepped up with an impactful effort as well, having played an unbeaten knock of 51 runs in 49 balls, hitting six fours and a six. This was Head’s 10th Test century, and his third against England. He also continues his style of starting home series against England with big performances, having scored 152 against England at the Gabba in the opening Test of the 2021-22 Ashes series.

This was the first time a team won batting second in six Tests at the Perth Stadium.

Ashes Tests ending inside two days

Lord’s 1888

The Oval 1888

Manchester 1888

The Oval 1890

Nottingham 1921

Perth 2025

This is the first Ashes Test ending inside two days in the last 100 years. Earlier, England were bowled out for just 164 runs in their second innings in 35 overs.

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Mitchell Starc was in outstanding touch in the series opener as he took 10 wickets in the match, including a seven-fer in the first innings. He was adjudged as the Player of the Match.