AUS VS ENG - 1st Test, The Ashes, 2025-26

205 wasn't a mountain of runs to chase down but it wasn't straightforward either on a surface which had something on it even on the second day when the bowlers bent their backs. Scotty Boland is a prime example of that as his channel bowling triggered the collapse which eventually came back to haunt the visitors. Head owned the stage with sheer poise and flair! He unsettled the bowlers with his gung-ho approach and gave England a taste of their own medicine. In the context of the game, Head's ultra-aggressive approach was a brave one but not at all out of place considering Australia were only chasing a smallish total. That's where match-awareness comes into play and Head ran away with the game with his stupendous strokeplay. His belligerent century will be remembered for ages! We hope you enjoyed our coverage. We will be back soon with our build-up of the pink-ball Test in Brisbane which will begin within a fortnight. This is Abhinav Guha signing off on behalf of Akshay Maanay and Venky. Until next time, goodbye and take care!

What a roller-coaster of a ride the 2025-26 Ashes has gotten us off to! The opening day saw an exhibition of swing and seam bowling from both sides where 19 wickets fell. Batting wasn't easy on a pacy and bouncy Perth surface and the seamers truly ruled the roost! The pitch did ease up today when England came out to bat in their second innings but their approach was highly aggressive and also reckless at times! People will say that is the way they play but sometimes a team needs to rethink its strategy and adapt accordingly. Building an innings is an art and when a batter bats with confidence, it rubs off on others. If someone from the English lineup had applied himself and notched up a century for instance, things could have panned out very differently.

Stats by Deepu Narayanan

England in the first Test of an away series (since 2021)
Beat SL 2021
Beat India 2021
Lost to Aus 2021
Draw vs WI 2022
Beat Pak 2022
Beat NZ 2023
Beat India 2024
Beat Pak 2024
Beat NZ 2024
Lost to Aus 2025
This is the first time in six attempts they have lost the opening Test of an away series in the Stokes-McCullum regime.

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.

- First time team to win batting second in six Tests at the Perth Stadium.

Shortest Ashes Tests (by balls)
788 Manchester 1888
792 Lord’s 1888
847 Perth 2025 *
911 Sydney 1895
This is the shortest Ashes Test in terms of ball bowled since the start of the 20th century.

(2/2) He (Starc) was unbelievable. Two of the big three out, a lot on his shoulders as leader of the attack and he bowled beautifully. Even in the first innings, we had a terrible cricket ball, wobbling around, boys struggling to keep the seam upright and for him to take seven was incredible. Then today, with a better ball, everyone backed it up. Scotty Boland was outstanding with his lengths, and Starcy just did what he’s done for so long: bowled like a genius and created chances. Doggett was really good. Took a couple of key wickets, Brook in the first innings when he looked set, and a couple today as well. He’s new to Test cricket, but he’s played plenty of first-class cricket, knows his game, and brought that here. Good plans, good discipline. And Jake, rough start with a duck but the way he came out with Trav today was outstanding. Chasing 200, you want to settle the nerves early and that partnership did exactly that. I hope so (Cummins is available). He’s an absolute weapon, he’s the skipper, and he’s arguably the best bowler in the world, so of course you want him back. We’ll see how he goes. We’ve got almost two weeks before the next game. But yeah, I’m really proud of the boys. It was an amazing match and great to be 1-0 up in the Ashes. It was a great crowd - plenty of noise, great buzz. Thanks for coming out and hopefully we’ll see you over the next couple of games.

Steve Smith | Australia captain: (1/2) Yeah, good start, wasn’t it? We love being on the right side of that. But today was just incredible. That innings from Travis Head was out of this world. He played some outrageous shots and even when he mistimed a few, they still seemed to find the gap. It was just one of those days where everything went his way, and he made the absolute most of it to get us home. (when did they decide to open with Head) Probably around tea, when we came off. We’d spoken about it, we didn’t love how things went in the first innings, and Trav just said, ‘I want to do it.’ So I told him, mate, go for your life. (who else was in the picture) Nathan Lyon was actually mentioned, believe it or not. (laughs) But in the end, I think we made the right call. My gosh, it’s right up there with anything I’ve ever seen from anyone. Fourth innings, chasing 200, and the surface was probably at its toughest for batters by then. He played beautifully early on, got himself in, and when they went to the short-ball plan, he handled it exactly how he wanted. He was almost toying with them. And I thought Marnus was brilliant at the other end too, took the game on, kept things moving. Those two worked superbly together. Great to get the win.

Ben Stokes | England captain: Yeah, a little bit (if he can make sense as to what happened). There’s definitely a bit of shell shock. That innings from Travis Head was pretty phenomenal. As you say, it’s all still pretty raw and fresh, but that was some knock. I guess when you look at how the game unfolded, the batters who had success were the ones who were brave and took the game on. It feels like we maybe went away from that a bit. On a wicket like that, you never feel you’ve got enough. If you’re the one who gets in, you’ve got to give yourself the best chance to go big. I didn’t see much success in trying to just hang around and occupy the crease. But yeah, that knock from Travis really took the wind out of us. (was it a lack of application) Not really. Like I said, the guys who did well were the ones willing to take the bowlers on, put their best balls under pressure. There actually was a lot on the surface if you hit the right areas. The batters who were brave enough to take their options on were the ones who got the rewards. I think we tried three or four different plans (to Head). But when he’s going like a train, plans can change quickly because the runs are coming so fast. I’ve seen Travis play a lot across red and white ball cricket, he’s very hard to stop when he gets into that kind of rhythm. The way we bowled yesterday was phenomenal. A lot happened on day one, and it was a really good day for the bowlers. It’s tough to start a series like this, especially when we felt in control heading into the fourth innings. But we’ve got four more games. We’ll let this sink in - it hurts - but we need to move on, get ready for Brisbane and hit the ground running. Yeah, we’ve got a decent break before that Test. We’ll go away, do our work as we always do, and come to Brisbane looking to get what we want out of that game.

Mitchell Starc | Player of the Match: (you still can’t quite believe what you’ve just seen with the bat?) Yep, that pretty much sums it up. Trav said he’d take the game on, and he certainly did. To come off like that, was incredible to watch. Honestly, it’s been a helter-skelter two days for both sides. There was plenty said outside the groups coming into the series, but for us it was just about sticking to what we do well. You saw today - Scotty Boland came into his own, Brendan Doggett on debut was outstanding, and then Trav.. well, he was something else. You can’t complain about the entertainment across two days, that’s for sure. I was actually pretty calm all week. It’s probably the first time in a while I haven't had Josh or Pat alongside me, but Scotty’s been around a long time, and I’ve known Doggie a long time too, he was fantastic. I was the old head in the group this week, but my role didn’t change. It’s been the same for nearly 15 years now. If I can just keep doing what I’ve mostly done well over that time, I’m happy. So yeah, pleased to play that role.

(2/2) Yeah, I was (if he was expecting the short stuff). That’s a seriously good bowling attack and we knew the short stuff was coming. My plan was just to play to the breeze - you can feel it now - hit with it when I could, give myself room at times, pull when it was there. I wasn’t sure exactly how it would pan out, but today it came off. They tested me plenty in the first 20 balls and again later once we’d got momentum. Not a chance (did he imagine scoring a ton). No way. Yesterday looked seriously tough out there. I’ve had a couple of 90s on this ground before, even threw one away a few years ago, so to get the hundred here, on a wicket that can crack and get pretty scary, it means a lot. Day four last year was brutal, so I probably had a few sleepless nights thinking about that. But today the pitch was good enough and luckily I got it done early. Oh, incredible moment (crowd giving him a standing ovation). I’m not great at taking it in, when I’m done, I just want to get off the field as fast as I can. Might’ve missed a few of the claps! But to get that reception. I’m very lucky. And even luckier that we won. Looking forward to getting home to the family. Early flight, bit of downtime. We’ll celebrate, it’s a massive start to the series for us. And with the way this game has gone, Brisbane is shaping up to be something else.

Travis Head: (1/2) Yeah… wow, what a couple of days. It’s been unbelievable. The emotions are pretty high. They (England) were seriously good out there yesterday and started to drag it back, so we knew we couldn’t afford to let the game slip. To be able to contribute the way I did, it feels pretty special. Not even close (has he processed what happened). Not yet. It’s all happened so quickly. Maybe it’ll sink in tonight.. or maybe in a few days. (when did they decide he will open) About two years ago! (laughs) Nah, honestly, I was happy to do it. It doesn’t bother me too much. We’d spoken about it - we know what England’s short-ball plans look like, we saw plenty of it in 2023. The coaching staff and Patty (Cummins) had a few ideas, and this was one of them. Nice that it worked out today. (who's decision was it to make him open) Bit of everyone - coach, captain, a few senior players. A couple of options were thrown around the room. I was keen, and there was support for it. Could’ve easily been Marnus facing the first over too. But the thinking was right: get out there, trust the plans, and see what happens. And today it paid off. Yeah, for sure (this knock is right up there). It’s always nice to start a series well. I did it in Brisbane a few years ago too, and this one feels just as good. Yesterday wasn’t a great day for us, today was a bit rocky at times… so to come away with a win like this, inside two days, is massive. I almost feel sorry for the 60,000 people who bought tickets for tomorrow.

Usman Khawaja, for the second time in this Test, didn’t walk out to open due to a niggle. That prompted a reshuffle, Travis Head was asked to partner debutant Weatherald with Labuschagne held back at no. 3. Head didn’t go berserk from ball one; he took a few overs to get his eye in, gauging the pace and bounce of the surface. Once settled, the left-hander shifted gears and began to impose himself on the England attack. Weatherald too contributed fluently as the pair added a lively 75-run opening stand. Head was unstoppable - racing to a 36-ball fifty, punishing anything overpitched and handling the short stuff with authority. What followed was an innings of sheer domination. Head blazed to a magnificent hundred off just 69 balls, leaving England stunned and helpless. Labuschagne calmly supported the tempo and played his own game. Head seemed destined to finish the job himself, but with just 13 runs needed for victory, he finally mistimed one and departed for a scintillating 123. His dismissal barely delayed the inevitable. Steve Smith walked in, joined Labuschagne in the middle and together the pair knocked off the remaining runs with ease. Australia coasted home inside two days, a ruthless chase, a Head masterclass and a commanding statement to kick off the Ashes in style.

17:43 Local Time, 09:43 GMT, 15:13 IST: What a turnaround by Australia! We have witnessed one of the great fightbacks in an Ashes Test. When the day began, England were firmly in control, 9 wickets already in the bag from yesterday and a 49-run cushion to work with. They wrapped up the final wicket for just 9 runs and stretched their lead to a handy 40. But if there’s one lesson teams keep relearning, it’s this: never give Australia a sniff in their own backyard. England did, and the hosts stormed right back. After lunch, England completely unraveled. Three wickets fell in the space of six deliveries, including the massive scalps of Brook and Root. That collapse flung the door wide open for Australia and they barged through it with intent. Atkinson and Carse then went on the counterattack, scoring freely and stitching together a brisk 50-plus stand for the 8th wicket. Their positive approach kept the scoreboard moving, but it couldn’t prevent England from being bowled out for 164, setting Australia a target of just 205 to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Brydon Carse to Smith, 1 run, there's the winning run! Australia have stamped their authority with a thumping win! An Ashes Test that has ended within two days, that's really rare! Not many would have given the Aussies a chance after they ended up conceding a 40-run healthy lead to England on a spicy surface but they have shown that playing proactive cricket can help a team achieve the pinnacle of success! England were given a dose of their own medicine today - Bazballed in style one can say! Was a back of a length delivery outside off, Smith punched it through covers for a single. Australia take a 1-0 lead in the 2025-26 Ashes

Brydon Carse to Smith, no run, the bouncer from round the wicket. Smith ducks under it

Root to Labuschagne, SIX, fifty for Labuschagne! With this hit, the scores are level! It has been a really important knock from Labuschagne as well. He played the perfect foil to Head when the latter was going bonkers and kept batting solidly. He used his feet, got close to the pitch of it and smacked it over wide long-on for a maximum

Root to Labuschagne, no run, Labuschagne hangs back to this one to keep it out

Root to Labuschagne, FOUR, Labuschagne gets his dancing shoes on, is not quite to the pitch of the delivery and slices it but gets it wide of the right side of mid-off. Another boundary results