Australia secured victory over England in the opening Test of the Ashes Series at Perth’s Optus Stadium, thanks to a record‑breaking performance from Travis Head.
The match was dominated by bowlers early on, with 19 wickets tumbling on Day 1 alone. Australia were dismissed quickly on Day 2, and England also folded before tea. But the game turned dramatically when Head stepped up in the fourth innings, delivering one of the most explosive knocks in Test history.
⚡ A Record‑Breaking Innings
- Head blasted 123 runs off just 83 balls, bringing up his century in only 69 deliveries.
- This became the fastest fourth‑innings century in Test cricket, surpassing Gilbert Jessop’s 76‑ball ton from the 1902 Ashes.
- His strike rate of 148.19 is now the highest ever in a successful Test run chase, eclipsing Jonny Bairstow’s 147.82 against New Zealand in 2022.
📊 Highest Strike Rates in Successful Test Run Chases
- 148.19 – Travis Head vs England, 2025
- 147.82 – Jonny Bairstow vs New Zealand, 2022
- 132.14 – Nathan Astle vs England, 2002
- 128.42 – Shahid Afridi vs West Indies, 2005
Head also etched his name in Ashes history by becoming the first player to score two centuries under 85 balls in the iconic series.
🎙️ Head’s Reaction
Speaking after the match, Head admitted the emotions were overwhelming:
“It’s been unbelievable. The emotions are pretty high. England fought hard yesterday, so we knew we couldn’t let the game slip. To contribute the way I did feels very special.”
