Picture : ICC /X
Australia began the much talked about 2025 – 26 Ashes series style as they hammered England by 8 wickets in two days in a sensational first Test at Perth . It was crazy Test match as wickets fell like pack of cards but It was Australia who had the last laugh.
England Skipper Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to bat first . To the horror of Stokes only four English batsmen could reach double figures as the batting collapsed to a dismal total of 172 against the Aussie seam attack. The scores of English batsmen told the story – Zak Crawley ( 0), Ben Duckett ( 21) , Ollie Pope ( 46), Joe Root ( 0), Harry Brook battled hard to reach 52. Skipper Ben Stokes ( 6), Jamie Smith (33) , Gus Atkinson ( 1), Brydon Carse ( 6) Jofra Archer not out 0 and Mark Wood ( 0)
Leading the Aussie seam attack in place of ijured Australia Skipper Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood , Mitchell Strac ripped through the English batting with a brilliant spell a stunning figures of 7/58. Scott Boland 0/62 . Debutant pace bowler Brendan Doggett 2/27 , Nathan Lyon 0/10 , Cameron Green 1/10
The large crowd who expected the Aussie chase to be easy were taken aback as England too hit back with wickets at regular intervals . Debutant Aussie opener Jake Weatherald out for ( 0) , Marnus Labuschagne ( 9), Australia’s stand-in Captain Steve Smith ( 17) , Usman Khwaja (2) , Travis Head ( 21) , Cameron Green ( 24) , Alex Carey ( 26) , MItchell Starc ( 12) , Nathan Lyon ( 4), Scott Boland ( 0), Brendan Doggett not out 7.
English Skipper Ben Stokes bowled superbly to bring his side back into the contest as Australia were bolwed out for 132/10 giving England a slim lead of 39 runs. Stokes like Starc for Australia bagged an impressive 5/23. Jofra Archer 2/11, Brydon Carse 3/45, Gus Atkinson 0/24. Marck Wood 0/21. England bowlers had doen their job the onus was now on their batting to deliver.
England second innings began on disastrous note as opener Zak Crawley was out ( 0) early caught and bowled brilliantly by Mitchel Starc. Ben Duckett ( 28), Ollie Pope ( 33) looked set for big one but failed to move on, Joe Root a forgettable match out for (8), Harry Brook ( 0), Skipper Ben Stokes ( 2), Jamie Smith ( 15). England were tottering. late order hitting by Gus Atkinson ( 37 ) , Brydon Carse ( 20) gave England some hope on a difficult pitch. Jorfa Archer ( 5), Mark Wood not out 4 as England despite taking lead were bolwed out for 164/10 . Thus setting Australia atarget of 205. On a pitch where wickets tumbled it looked a decent total.
Mitchell Starc was on absolute fire to grab his third ten-wicket haul in the first Ashes Test 🔥#WTC27 #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/vbQwCCmyAC
— ICC (@ICC) November 22, 2025
The Aussie bowlers were relentless Mitchell Starc 3/55. Scott Boland 4/33, Brendan Doggett 3/51, Cameron Green 0/13
In reply to the chase, Australia made a bold move sending Travis Head to open the innings with Jake Weatherald. Promoting Head to open was a master-stroke. Aussie openers Head and Weatherald gave the team the perfect solid start need to for the chase . The duo put on 75 for the first wicket . Weatherald was out for ( 23) .
On the other hand, Travis Head played like the Head one knows as he went after the English bowlers with series of audacious shots. He took the game away from the stunned English fans and equally shell- shocked English Skipper Ben Stokes . Head before he was out had scored a blazing 123 off just 69 balls. Head demolished English aatack with 16 fours and 4 sixes. Criticised in the past for not keeping pace and unable to rotate, Marnus Labuschagne too showed intent and desire as he raced to an unbetaen 51 off 49 balls . Steve Smith the stand-in Skipper hit the winning runs and reamioned not out on 2 . Australia romping home by 8 wickets reaching 205/2. Head masterclass was on full display.
English bowling attack had no answer to Head’s onslaught Jofra Archer 0/45, Gus Atkinson 0/61, Brydon Carse 2/44, Marck Wood 0/23, Ben Stokes 0/18, Joe Root 0/12.
Australia now head to second Test at Brisbane December 4-8 day/night Test with confidence sky- high. England have lot to worry ponder . Bazball strategy did not work out in Perth so back to the thinking board .
Match: The Ashes, 1st Test
Venue: Perth | Date: Nov 21-25, 2025
