Ashes 2025-26: Travis Head hammers second-fastest ton in Ashes history to help Australia take 1-0 lead

Australia took a commanding 1-0 lead in the Ashes 2025-26 after a brilliant eight-wicket win over England in the first Test at Perth. The hero of the victory was Travis Head, whose 69-ball century, the second-fastest in Ashes history, made the chase look easy, handing Australia a win inside just two days. His innings not only shattered a 127-year-old record but also delivered one of the most memorable match-winning knocks in Ashes cricket.

The Perth Test witnessed England bundling out for 172 in the first innings, only for Australia to collapse to 132. The visitors then surrendered their advantage with another batting collapse, managing just 164, setting the hosts a target of 205. With Usman Khawaja unable to open due to a niggle, Australia opted for Head, who walked out with Jake Weatherald. The southpaw reached his fifty in just 36 balls.

Head just behind Adam Gilchrist

He reached his hundred in just 69 deliveries, surpassing Gilbert Jessop’s 76-ball effort from 1902 to claim the second-fastest Ashes century ever, behind only Adam Gilchrist’s iconic 57-ball ton in 2006. The knock also broke Joe Darling’s 1898 record for the fastest century by an opener in a fourth-innings chase in Ashes history. Head smashed 12 fours and four sixes and stitched a 75-run opening partnership with Weatherald. Even after his dismissal for a scintillating 123 off 83 balls, the outcome was virtually decided. Marnus Labuschagne’s unbeaten 51 not out ensured they finished the chase as Australia romped home in just 28.2 overs at a run rate of 7.23.

Earlier in the day, Mitchell Starc (3/55), Scott Boland (4/33), and Brendan Doggett (3/51) combined brilliantly to dismantle England’s middle order after lunch. England lost five wickets for 11 runs. Only the counterattacking efforts of Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse pushed the total to 164. Starc, who took 10 wickets across both innings, was named Player of the Match. The two teams will now head to Brisbane for the Day-Night Test, starting on December 04.

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