Australia crushed England by 8 wickets in the first Test of the five-match Ashes 2025 series at Optus Stadium in Perth. They raced to 205/2 in just 28.2 overs in the fourth innings on Day 2 of the match. Travis Head smashed a blazing century on a pitch where England had collapsed dramatically in both innings, and even Australia had faltered in their first innings. His knock proved disastrous for England, and the visitors ultimately lost control — and the match — within a few hours of the fourth innings.

Australia Reverse the Game

Australia overturned England’s advantage with a fiery spell from Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc. Starc finished with 10 wickets in the match and led the demolition of England’s second innings during a chaotic middle session.

England folded for a modest total, leaving Australia to chase 205. They had no trouble doing it.

Head Leads Explosive Chase

Travis Head opened the innings as a stand-in for Usman Khawaja, who struggled with back spasms. Head smashed 123 from 83 balls and powered the chase at more than seven runs an over. His fifty came quickly, and he reached his century in just 69 deliveries, the equal third-fastest by an Australian in Tests.

Marnus Labuschagne supported him with an unbeaten 51 off 49 balls, while Steven Smith hit the winning run.

Head’s Knock Crushes England

Head’s aggressive batting gave England a taste of their own fast-scoring approach. He punished anything loose and repeatedly cut through the off-side. He also hammered Stokes for four boundaries in one over.

Although he fell with the target in sight, the result had been decided long before his dismissal.

England’s Collapse Turns the Match

Earlier, England seemed safe at 65 for 1 with a lead of 105. But Boland sparked a stunning collapse. England lost 4 wickets for 11 runs in 19 balls. They eventually lost 9 wickets for 99 runs in the session.

Key top-order players nicked behind, while Joe Root completed a poor match by inside-edging Starc after attempting a risky drive.

Boland and Starc Shift Momentum

Boland recovered strongly after a poor first-innings outing. He shortened his length, removed Duckett, and then dismissed Pope and Brook in the same over. His rhythm unsettled England and exposed their shaky batting.

Starc, sensing an opportunity, returned to the attack. He bowled Root and then dismissed Stokes for the 11th time in Tests with a sharp delivery that moved away late.

Jamie Smith fell soon after, and Brendan Doggett claimed the final wickets to secure five wickets on debut.

England Show Brief Fight

Carse and Atkinson added 47 runs and attacked Australia’s short-ball plan. Yet their resistance did not last. Doggett ended the innings, leaving England with a lead too small to defend.

Australia Start Day Two Under Pressure

Australia resumed on 123 for 9 and still felt the heat from England’s strong bowling on day one. Doggett and Lyon added nine runs before Carse dismissed Lyon as Australia finished 40 runs behind.

Starc Strikes Early Again

Starc entered the second innings on a hat-trick and immediately troubled England. He dismissed Zak Crawley for a pair with a stunning return catch. The third umpire checked closely, but Starc’s fingers stayed under the ball.

For the first time in Test history, openers on both sides failed to score in all three early innings of a match.

England Start Well, Then Lose Control

Duckett and Pope steadied the innings with quick singles and solid defence. But Boland returned with better control and beat Pope several times. Once his luck shifted, the match flipped completely. England never recovered.

Brief Scorecard