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- AUS vs ENG Highlights, 1st Ashes Test Day 2: Travis Head's 123 powers Australia to 8-wicket win over England; first two-day Ashes since 1921
AUS vs ENG Highlights, 1st Ashes Test Day 2: Travis Head's 123 powers Australia to 8-wicket win over England; first two-day Ashes since 1921
The contest, played in intense heat and in front of a vocal crowd, swung dramatically after England began day two with a narrow advantage. Their position looked comfortable at 65 for 1, but the afternoon session brought a collapse that altered the match entirely. Scott Boland rediscovered rhythm and accuracy, removing Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook in a rapid burst. Mitchell Starc, who had already taken a career-best 7-58 on the opening day, added Joe Root and Ben Stokes to complete a ten-wicket haul.
A lower-order partnership between Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse pushed England to 164, setting Australia a target of 205. But the chase quickly became one-sided. With Usman Khawaja still managing back stiffness, Head was sent in to open and immediately seized control of the innings. He hammered England’s attack, clearing the infield with ease, striking multiple sixes and racing to a half-century in 36 balls. His eventual 69-ball hundred — one of the highlights of the match — carried Australia to within touching distance of victory.
Head reflected on the whirlwind outcome, saying: “Wow, what a couple of days. It’s been unbelievable… To be able to contribute the way I did, it feels pretty special.” Stokes acknowledged the damage, admitting England were left “a little bit shell-shocked” by the swing in play and Head’s scoring rate.
Debutant Jake Weatherald added a brisk 23 before falling to a miscued pull, leaving Head and Marnus Labuschagne to continue the chase. Even after Head departed for 123, the result was only a formality. Labuschagne’s calm 51* and Steve Smith’s brief stay sealed the eight-wicket win.
The match’s brevity, shaped by fast scoring and equally fast collapses, set the tone for what promises to be an intense series.
Gus Atkinson to Marnus Labuschagne, Risky single! Fuller and on off, Marnus Labuschagne pushes it towards extra cover and sets off for a single. Ben Stokes from mid off runs towards the ball, picks it up and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. A direct hit would have made things interesting here.
DRINKS! Australia are well ahead in the game at this moment. Travis Head has been superb, already notching up a half-century. The debutant, Jake Weatherald, also gave good support but unfortunately lost his wicket, and that is the only one that England has been able to pick up. The Aussies need 118 runs to win, and they will want to knock as many as they can before the end of the day's play here.
- Travis Head 50 (42)
- Marnus Labuschagne 11 (14)
Ben Stokes to Travis Head, Almost a yorker, outside off. Head carves it out and plays it across to mid on.
Ben Stokes to Travis Head, Big flash and a miss! With a packed off side field, Stokes bowls a fuller one, just outside off. Travis Head shapes to slash it through point, but gets beaten on the outside edge.
Ben Stokes to Travis Head, Skids through the deck, on a good length, on off. Travis Head is rushed on the back foot and punches it back to Stokes off the toe end.
Ben Stokes to Travis Head, Fuller one, at 135.6 kph, on off, Travis Head drives it off the front foot to extra cover.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne, Short of a good length, outside off, Marnus Labuschagne cuts it along the ground to deep backward point. But there is protection in the deep. Just a single.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne, Hurls it full, at 131.1 kph, around the off pole. Marnus Labuschagne closely watches it and leaves.
Ben Stokes brings himself into the attack now. He came onto bowl at a similar time on Day 1, and picked up a fifer. England are desperate for wickets here. Can Stokes do it again for his team?
- Travis Head 50 (38)
- Marnus Labuschagne 10 (12)
Brydon Carse to Travis Head, Full, on off, driven off the front foot to mid off.
Brydon Carse to Marnus Labuschagne, Short of a good length, around off and middle. Marnus Labuschagne transfers his weight onto the back foot and pulls it between mid-wicket and mid on. Gus Atkinson sprints after it and stops it just before the ropes. Three taken.
Brydon Carse to Marnus Labuschagne, Nice and full, around off, blocked off the front foot to mid off.
Brydon Carse to Marnus Labuschagne, FOUR! Marnus Labuschagne proves that conventional cricket can be beautiful as well. Loosener from Carse, a genuine half volley on middle and leg. Marnus Labuschagne gets on top of it and flicks it to the right of mid-wicket for a boundary. No point in chasing that.
Brydon Carse to Marnus Labuschagne, Overpitched delivery on off, Marnus Labuschagne carves it out to mid off.
Brydon Carse to Marnus Labuschagne, Slammed hard into the pitch, on off. Marnus Labuschagne weighs back and punches it back to the bowler.
- Travis Head 50 (37)
- Marnus Labuschagne 3 (7)
Mark Wood to Travis Head, A yard behind fuller length, on middle, Travis Head punches it off the back foot to mid on.
Mark Wood to Marnus Labuschagne, Touch full, on middle, this is flicked from the crease by Marnus Labuschagne. They get a single as the ball rolls wide of mid-wicket.
Mark Wood to Marnus Labuschagne, Back of a length, outside off, cutting back in a touch. Marnus offers no shot.
Mark Wood to Marnus Labuschagne, Short of a good length, on middle. Marnus Labuschagne weighs back and pulls it to deep square leg. He is keen to get the third run, but is denied by Head on a sharp call as the ball is cut off the deep by the fielder.
Mark Wood to Marnus Labuschagne, On a length, around off, nudged off the back foot to point.
Mark Wood to Travis Head, FIFTY FOR TRAVIS HEAD. His 21st in Test cricket, and 6th against England. His second-fastest half century in Tests. It is well received by the Aussie supporters at the Optus. No surprise that he is one of the best counter-punchers in the world. Just a gentle raise of the bat and a fist-bump with his partner, as he knows the job is far from being done. But he has provided a very strong foundation for his side. Full and angling into the batter, Travis Head flicks using his wrists to deep backward square leg for a single to get to his milestone.
- Marnus Labuschagne 0 (3)
- Travis Head 49 (35)
Brydon Carse to Marnus Labuschagne, 'WAIT ON', says Marnus Labuschagne! On a good length, shaping away from middle. Marnus Labuschagne drags the bat out in front and defends it back to the bowler. Brydon Carse collects it on the followthrough, to his right and threatens to throw it back to the batter.
Brydon Carse to Marnus Labuschagne, A real snorter! Angles in and then leaves the right-hander, with the seam positioned towards the first slip, on a fractionally fuller length. Marnus Labuschagne is taken by surprise as he gets beaten on his defences.
Brydon Carse to Marnus Labuschagne, A bit fullish, on off, Marnus Labuschagne uses his wrists to steer off the crease to backward point.
Marnus Labuschagne walks out to bat at number 3.
Brydon Carse to Jake Weatherald, OUT! TOP EDGE AND TAKEN! Finally, a wicket for England through Brydon Carse. A lethal bumper from around-the-wicket angle, climbing onto the batter. Jake Weatherald shapes up for a pull shot, but the ball gets big on him and gets a thick top edge. The ball then rebounds off his helmet and lobs high in the air towards the extra cover region. Ben Duckett stationed inside the ring, nicely settles himself up to take the catch. Jake Weatherald departs on 23 (34) and Australia are 75/1. They need 130 more runs to win, with 9 wickets in hand.
Brydon Carse to Jake Weatherald, Around off, on a length, angling in. Jake Weatherald nudges it off the back foot to short mid-wicket.
Brydon Carse to Jake Weatherald, FOUR! Jake Weatherald gets into the 20s and has got his rhythm now! Excellent weight distribution from the debutant as he leans back on this short delivery and drags the ball from outside off. Heaves it to the right of the diving mid-wicket fielder for a boundary.
The runs are coming thick and fast for the Aussies now. Travis Head, coming out to open due to a slight injury to Usman Khawaja, has worked massively in favour of the hosts, and he is taking the game away from England here.
- Travis Head 49 (35)
- Jake Weatherald 19 (31)
Mark Wood to Travis Head, FOUR! All class this time around! A bit too wide on off, short in length. Travis Head lets the ball arrive, rises with the bounce and steers it through the gully and point gap for a boundary. Another very productive over for the Aussies as 13 runs come off it. Australia need 134 runs to win, with all 10 wickets intact.
Mark Wood to Travis Head, SIX! England under the pump with that audacious shot from Head! Wrong line from Wood as this is on the leg stump, and short. Travis Head keeps it simple. Lifts the front leg up to balance himself and uses the pace to whip it nonchalantly over deep fine leg for a six.
Mark Wood to Jake Weatherald, Laser-straight onto the leg stump, on a good length. Jake Weatherald uses his wrists to flick it, but misses and the ball rolls off the thigh pad towards deep fine leg for a leg bye.
Mark Wood to Travis Head, Wood slams it hard into the pitch, on the leg stump. Travis gets inside the line to pull it away, but the ball nips in a bit and he misses. It deflects off his gloves and runs behind to deep fine leg for a single.
Mark Wood to Travis Head, Short and going down leg. Head lets it be.
Mark Wood to Jake Weatherald, Short and on the bodyline, Jake Weatherald weighs back and mistimes the pull shot off the bottom edge. The ball rolls to backward square leg for a single.
- Jake Weatherald 18 (29)
- Travis Head 38 (31)
Brydon Carse to Jake Weatherald, On a good length, on middle, this is whipped off the pads by Jake to the long leg region for a single. 11 from this over, and 19 from the last 2 overs for Australia. They are really rushing and drifting this game away from the Poms.
Brydon Carse to Jake Weatherald, WIDE! For height! Way too short for anybody's liking, and it springs over the batter's head. Weatherald lets it fly behind to the keeper. Wide called.
Ollie Pope has been placed at short square leg.
Brydon Carse to Jake Weatherald, Full and a bit too straight, down leg. Jake Weatherald's head falls over while attempting a flick shot and he misses to connect.
Brydon Carse to Travis Head, On a good length, angling into the batter, Travis Head tucks it wide of mid-wicket for a single.
Brydon Carse to Travis Head, SIX! Oh my word! Just for a moment, Travis Head had his heart in his mouth. A bit too full, outside off. Travis Head crouches low and slaps it aerially, behind square on the off side. It keeps sailing in the air and Ben Duckett lurks around in the deep, but all he can do is watch the ball getting parked into the crowd for half a dozen. 50 UP FOR AUSTRALIA IN JUST 9.3 OVERS!
Brydon Carse to Travis Head, On a length, outside off, Travis Head punches it off the back foot to cover-point.
Brydon Carse to Travis Head, Short in length, on top of middle. Travis Head lifts with the bounce and whips it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
- Jake Weatherald 17 (27)
- Travis Head 29 (27)
Mark Wood to Jake Weatherald, On a good length, on the leg stump. Jake Weatherald whips off his pads to the widish square leg region.
Mark Wood to Jake Weatherald, FOUR! Deft touch! Short of a good length, outside off. Jake Weatherald waits back and opens the bat face at the point of contact. Manages to pierce the gap between gully and backward point for a boundary.
Mark Wood to Travis Head, Now, this is what we call proactive running! On a length, rising up after landing, on off. Travis Head jumps in the air and uses his wrists to punch it through the cover space. By the time Ben Stokes chases it to the deep and gets rid of the ball, they hustle back for the third run.
Mark Wood to Travis Head, Short, on off, Head taps it to cover-point with soft hands.
Mark Wood to Jake Weatherald, On a good length, and it skids low from the deck, just outside off. Jake Weatherald leaves it for the keeper to collect. But, Jamie Smith misreads the lack of bounce and seemingly gets a bad bounce in front of him. The ball evades through between his legs. It is cut off by Brydon Carse who moves to his right from deep third. A bye taken.
Mark Wood to Jake Weatherald, Spears in at 141.3 kph, on a good length, around middle and leg. Jake Weatherald plays off the back foot and nudges it in thereabouts of square leg.
England need a spark from someone, and Ben Stokes has turned to Mark Wood.
Set 205 to win, Head produced one of the quickest Ashes tons in recent memory, reaching three figures in 69 balls before closing on 123, an innings that turned the chase into a procession. Marnus Labuschagne remained unbeaten on 51 as Australia took a 1–0 lead in the five-match series.
England’s collapse earlier in the day shaped the result. Resuming with a 40-run advantage, they appeared settled at 65 for 1, but Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc ripped through the middle order in a span of four overs. Boland removed Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook in 11 balls, while Starc accounted for Joe Root and Ben Stokes, completing a ten-wicket match haul after his 7-58 on day one.
A fighting stand between Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse briefly steadied England before they were bowled out for 164 at tea. Stokes admitted his side had been “a little bit shell-shocked,” conceding that Head’s innings was “phenomenal.”
Promoted to open as Usman Khawaja battled back stiffness, Head dominated from the outset, striking cleanly on a surface that had tested others throughout the match. His assault left England with no chance of pulling the match back as Australia wrapped up the chase with ease.the opening day set the tone for a gripping four-day contest, blending high skill, raw pace, and historic moments in a truly chaotic start to the series.
Match Statistics
Venue
Perth Stadium, Perth
