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:Australia stormed to a 1–0 lead in the Ashes after completing an emphatic victory in Perth, where the first Test ended inside two days following a ferocious shift in momentum and a commanding run chase led by Travis Head.

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.

06:57 (IST) Nov 22

Ashes Live Score: Mitchell Starc stole the show

Mitchell Starc stole the show for Australia with a career-best 7-58, dismantling England’s top order in the first session. The left-arm pacer set the tone early, taking three wickets in his first five overs, including key dismissals of Ben Duckett and Joe Root. England’s innings, though aggressive at 5.23 runs per over, ultimately fell apart after lunch, with Starc picking four more wickets, including that of Stokes, as England lost six wickets for just 67 runs.

Starc capped his day by removing Jamie Smith and Mark Wood in consecutive deliveries, positioning himself for a hat-trick at the start of Australia’s second innings. The 35-year-old, stepping up in the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, showed why experience matters in high-pressure situations. For England, the day highlighted both their attacking batting intent and the need for resilience against world-class pace bowling in Australian conditions.

06:56 (IST) Nov 22

ENG vs AUS, 1st Test Match Live Score: Indigenous Australians Make History in Perth

The first Ashes Test in Perth also marked a historic moment for Indigenous Australians. With Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood injured, Brendan Doggett made his Test debut alongside Scott Boland, making it the first time two Indigenous Australian men played in the same Test side. Doggett made immediate impact, claiming key wickets including Harry Brook and Brydon Carse, and troubling several other batters with short-pitched deliveries.

This milestone highlights the growing contribution of Indigenous Australians to cricket at the highest level. On a day dominated by pace and drama, Doggett’s debut combined with Boland’s presence added another layer to an already chaotic Day 1. With England taking the first-innings advantage thanks to Ben Stokes’ all-round brilliance, the match is set up as a high-stakes contest blending history, skill, and raw competitive fire.

06:55 (IST) Nov 22

Ashes Live Score: England’s Bazball Approach

England’s attacking intent under Brendon McCullum’s “Bazball” philosophy was evident from the start. Despite losing wickets regularly, the team scored quickly, highlighted by a 55-run fourth-wicket stand between Ollie Pope (46) and Harry Brook (52). This partnership was the biggest of Day 1, ensuring England remained competitive despite Starc’s devastating spell.

The approach reflects England’s focus on aggressive cricket, aiming to put bowlers under pressure. Even when wickets fell at regular intervals, the intent never wavered. By scoring at over five runs per over, England kept Australia on their toes and demonstrated that the team is willing to combine risk with reward. Perth’s reputation as a high-scoring yet wicket-rich venue was reinforced, setting the stage for a thrilling four days ahead.

06:54 (IST) Nov 22

ENG vs AUS, 1st Test Match Live Score: Ben Stokes shines with ball

06:53 (IST) Nov 22

AUS vs ENG Live Score: England Take Early Advantage

Day 1 of the Ashes at Perth Stadium delivered exactly what fans had hoped for: fast-paced, high-octane cricket. England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to bat, only for his side to be skittled for 172 in front of over 51,000 spectators. Mitchell Starc responded in style, taking a career-best 7-58 to put Australia on top. But Stokes had the final say with the ball, taking 5-23 to give England a first-innings edge.

The day was dominated by pace, with batters from both sides struggling against sharply rising short-pitched deliveries. Cameron Green’s encounter with a 147 kph Mark Wood bouncer highlighted the intensity of England’s attack. Australia’s innings ended at 123-9, still 49 runs behind, leaving the test delicately poised with four days to go. England’s aggressive “Bazball” style under Brendon McCullum was evident, scoring at over five runs per over despite frequent wickets. With 19 wickets falling across 72 overs, Perth has already lived up to its reputation as a batting-friendly but wicket-rich venue.

AUS vs ENG Highlights, 1st Ashes Test Day 2: Australia seized a dominant eight-wicket win in the opening Ashes Test in Perth, finishing the contest inside two days thanks to a blistering Travis Head century and a destructive pace burst that dismantled England on day two.

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.

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

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Match Statistics

Head to Head in TESTSTotal Matches 362

112

153

Venue

Perth Stadium, Perth

ENG PLAYING XI

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AUS PLAYING XI