Aus vs Eng Ashes Test 1 : Travis Head Storm Blows Away England
On Day 2 of the opening The Ashes 2025–26 Test at Perth Stadium, Australia completely turned the tables, dismantling England and wrapping up a win by eight wickets within just two days. It was a dramatic reversal of fortunes.
What Happened on Day-1
Day-1 of the opening Ashes Test swung wildly and set up all the drama that followed on Day-2. England started brightly with the ball, using the early movement in Perth to remove Australia’s top order quickly. The Aussies struggled to stitch partnerships and were eventually bundled out for just 132, with England’s seamers dominating from both ends. In reply, England’s openers looked composed and steady, moving into the lead before stumps with nine wickets still in hand. It felt like the visitors had taken early control of the Test — a position that looked strong at the end of Day-1 but completely unravelled the following day.
Also Read: Aus vs Eng Ashes Test 1 Day 1 Report
Australia vs England - 1st Ashes Test • Day 2
The Ashes 2025/26 • 21–25 November 2025
Venue: Perth Stadium, Perth
Morning Session – England Lose Grip as Australia Hit Back Hard
England walked out on Day 2 with a solid position — a first-innings lead, wickets in hand, and a chance to build a match-winning score. But the morning turned into a nightmare. The pitch had just enough bounce and seam for the Aussie quicks, and Mitchell Starc used it perfectly. He found movement at pace, removing key batters early, and suddenly England’s calm start began to wobble.
Scott Boland then delivered the kind of spell he’s known for: tight lines, relentless accuracy, and subtle seam movement. One wicket became two, then three, and England’s innings started sliding rapidly. What looked like a day where they would extend the lead, instead became a tense battle for survival.
By lunch, Australia had wrestled back control. England had lost their set batters, the lower order looked exposed, and the lead — which could’ve grown to something huge — started shrinking fast. The stadium, which was quiet early, suddenly woke up as Australia sniffed a turnaround.
Afternoon Session – A Shocking Collapse Hands Australia the Advantage
The afternoon session was the real turning point — brutal, dramatic, and totally one-sided. England’s batting fell apart spectacularly. Nine wickets fell for barely anything, and the visitors were bundled out far quicker than expected.
Starc kept hitting the right lengths and picked up the big breakthroughs. Boland chipped away, and England couldn’t find any way to settle. Even the middle order players who normally rescue them looked rushed and rattled. A lead that could have gone over 250 ended up stalling around the 200 mark.
Australia sensed England had mentally drifted. The fielding intensity grew, the bowlers hunted in pairs, and the collapse felt inevitable. By tea, the big story wasn’t the target England set — it was how fast the innings fell apart. The match, which looked like a four-day battle, suddenly tilted towards finishing the same day.
Evening Session – Travis Head’s Thunderous Century Ends the Test in Style
The evening session belonged to one man: Travis Head. He walked in with a clear plan — counter-attack — and simply smashed any doubt out of the game. Head’s tempo was electric. He hit boundaries at will, punished anything short, and never allowed England’s bowlers to settle. His hundred came at breakneck speed — 123 off 83 balls as Australia chased down 205 in just 28.2 overs.
Earlier Adam Boot-Jake Weatherald (debutant) helped get the chase going, but once Head took charge, it became a spectacle. Australia lost only two wickets. The match, which began as a tactical battle, ended in a blaze of hitting and confidence. With the final runs scored, Australia led the Ashes 1-0, and England were left stunned — beaten inside two days.
Have a look at the full match scorecard.
Player of the Match - Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc’s performance stood out in the first Test of the 2025–26 The Ashes 2025–26, and earned him the Player of the Match award. He took ten wickets in the match, including a haul that changed the complexion of the game.
In the post-match presentation, he spoke modestly about the overall team effort, highlighting his respect for his fellow bowlers and fielders, and acknowledging the blistering contribution by Travis Head with the bat.
Starc’s line, length and fierce pace consistently forced errors from the England batters, enabling Australia to dominate all four innings. His performance wasn’t just statistically impressive — it was match-defining.
Aus vs Eng Ashes Test 1 Day 2 Highlights
Aus vs Eng Ashes Test 1 - Post Match Presentation
