Cricket update | Australia win by 8 wickets after 2nd day

England 172 & 164 | Australia 132 &205-2

A dreadful 2nd day in Perth for England as Australia claimed an eight wicket win

Author | Peter Jones

Stadium | Perth Stadium

Ashes Test | Second day of first test | View from the stands

England slumped to a heavy defeat in the opening Ashes Test as Travis Head’s explosive century powered Australia to a remarkable comeback victory in Perth.

In the first two-day Ashes Test for more than a century, Head tore through England’s attack with a blistering hundred off just 69 balls, the second-fastest in Ashes history. His 123 steered Australia to their target of 205 in only 28.2 overs, sealing an eight-wicket win and giving the hosts a 1-0 lead in the series.

There was a dramatic shift in momentum

Australia had surrendered a first-innings deficit of 40 and were still 105 behind when England reached 65-1 shortly after lunch. But Mitchell Starc’s 10-wicket match haul, coupled with a string of loose strokes from England’s batters, turned the match on its head. Promoting Head up the order proved inspired, extending a miserable run for England in Australia, where they have now lost 14 of their last 16 Tests.

READ MORE | First Test news and stories

England’s collapse was stark. Six wickets fell for 39 in 11 overs, including a spell of three dismissals in six balls that removed Ollie Pope, Harry Brook and Joe Root. A brief counter by Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse, who added 50 for the ninth wicket, was not enough to prevent England being dismissed for 164 in 34.4 overs, losing their final nine wickets for 99.

Australia were left needing the highest score of the match.

Head’s innings reduced the task to a procession. England’s pace bowlers, so effective the previous day, struggled to keep any semblance of control as the Perth crowd revelled in the turnaround.

The only remaining doubt was whether the contest would stretch into a third day. Head ensured it would not, leaving England with extra time to reflect before the second Test, a day-night encounter in Brisbane that begins on 4 December.

Where does this England side go from here?

They have endured some bruising defeats in Australia, but this will rank among the most punishing.

Everything appeared to be tilting England’s way. Their bowlers unsettled Australia on the opening day, their batters were in control on the second morning, and the hosts were hampered by injuries to Usman Khawaja and Nathan Lyon.

The speed of England’s collapse was alarming and raises serious questions for the remainder of the series. Australia not only became the first side to win a Test at this ground while batting second, they did so from a position of weakness and without their injured captain Pat Cummins.

Much of the post-match debate will focus on the pitch and the rapid fall of wickets. With only 847 balls delivered, it was the shortest completed Ashes Test since 1888.

The stark reality is that England were undone by their own approach. Their attempt to force the pace early in the second afternoon opened the door for Australia. When Head responded with an assault of his own, Stokes’ side could not withstand the pressure.

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