132/10 (45.2)
CR : 2.91
172/10 (32.5)
CR : 5.24
Australia won by 8 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Mitchell Starc
7/58 & 3/5512(12)
Mitchell Starc (POTM): "Yeah, pretty much sums it up. Travis Head, can take the game on like that, that was something awesome.
I think, it was quite equal for both sides. Yeah, I think a lot was said outside both groups heading into the series. We saw today Scott Boland coming into his own. Brendan Doggett on debut was fantastic. And then, Travis Head today was awesome. You can't go home not happy with the entertainment you have seen.
(On Hazlewood and Cummins missing) I mean, I was pretty calm over the week. Probably the first time I didn't have Josh and Pat alongside. Scotty has been around for a long time, I have known Doggett for a long time. The old head in the group this week but that didn't change my role. It has been the same for 15 years, if I can keep doing what I do, mostly all these years, it keeps me in a great stead. Pleased to play that role."
I think, it was quite equal for both sides. Yeah, I think a lot was said outside both groups heading into the series. We saw today Scott Boland coming into his own. Brendan Doggett on debut was fantastic. And then, Travis Head today was awesome. You can't go home not happy with the entertainment you have seen.
(On Hazlewood and Cummins missing) I mean, I was pretty calm over the week. Probably the first time I didn't have Josh and Pat alongside. Scotty has been around for a long time, I have known Doggett for a long time. The old head in the group this week but that didn't change my role. It has been the same for 15 years, if I can keep doing what I do, mostly all these years, it keeps me in a great stead. Pleased to play that role."
Ben Stokes (England Captain): "Little bit shell shocked there. That innings from Travis Head was pretty phenomenal. It's quite raw and fresh at the moment but that was some knock.
[on leading by 99 losing just 1 wicket at lunch] The way that the game eked out, the guys who seemed to have success out there with the bat in hand were the guys who seemed to be really brave to take the game on. If we were to look back on that, on wickets like this you know you've got enough if you find yourself in a position where you're the guy who's managed to get in and try and give yourself the best chance of going on. Anyone who tried to stay around there and try and occupy the crease with a lot of time didn't really seem to have too much success.
There certainly was a lot of assistance there when the bowlers put the ball in the right areas and the guys who were able to knock the bowlers off their length seemed to find success on that.
I think we tried 3 or 4 different plans against Head. He was going like a train and those plans can change quite quickly because those runs were coming down quickly. I've seen Travis plays a lot of knocks like that whether it be in Test cricket or white-ball cricket. He is very hard to stop.
The way which we bowled yesterday was simply phenomenal. A lot happened on day 1, 19 wickets fell. It was a good day for the bowlers and this is a very tough one to get the series going when you know we were in control of the game and we were coming out there to bowl in that 4th innings. We've got 4 more games here and obviously let this sink in. Hurts extremely. Get our hands around and move on to Brisbane and then hit the ground in there.
We have a long time before that game starts. We'll be working hard, going away and putting all the hard graph that we always do to get into Brisbane and coming away with the result we want there."
[on leading by 99 losing just 1 wicket at lunch] The way that the game eked out, the guys who seemed to have success out there with the bat in hand were the guys who seemed to be really brave to take the game on. If we were to look back on that, on wickets like this you know you've got enough if you find yourself in a position where you're the guy who's managed to get in and try and give yourself the best chance of going on. Anyone who tried to stay around there and try and occupy the crease with a lot of time didn't really seem to have too much success.
There certainly was a lot of assistance there when the bowlers put the ball in the right areas and the guys who were able to knock the bowlers off their length seemed to find success on that.
I think we tried 3 or 4 different plans against Head. He was going like a train and those plans can change quite quickly because those runs were coming down quickly. I've seen Travis plays a lot of knocks like that whether it be in Test cricket or white-ball cricket. He is very hard to stop.
The way which we bowled yesterday was simply phenomenal. A lot happened on day 1, 19 wickets fell. It was a good day for the bowlers and this is a very tough one to get the series going when you know we were in control of the game and we were coming out there to bowl in that 4th innings. We've got 4 more games here and obviously let this sink in. Hurts extremely. Get our hands around and move on to Brisbane and then hit the ground in there.
We have a long time before that game starts. We'll be working hard, going away and putting all the hard graph that we always do to get into Brisbane and coming away with the result we want there."
Steve Smith (Australia Captain): "Yeah, good start wasn't it. 2-day is something you love when you are on the right side of the result. Today was just incredible. That innings from Travis Head was out of this word. Even when he shanked it, he seemed to find the gap. He made the most of it and got us home.
Probably about Tea time. We were thinking of a few discussions. Travis was like, I wanna do it, I was like mate, go for it. Nathan Lyon was talked about, but I think we made the right decision in the end.
I think it is right up there with the knocks I have seen from anyone. Fourth innings, although Day 2 but wicket was probably at its best to bat. He played really nice shots, when they went short, he took it on. He hit the gaps and was toying with them. I thought Marnus did a good job, scored at a good rate. Yeah, a good win.
He was unbelievable. Two of the big three out, you know a lot on his shoulders. He bowled beautifully. It was a terrible cricket ball we had in the first innings. We were struggled to get the seam right. The way he bowled to take 7 was outstanding.
I think all of the bowlers did well today. We had a better ball today. We were getting it in the right areas. Scott Boland bowled in the right areas. Starc was brilliant, he did what he has done for a long time, created a lot of chances.
Doggie did really well. He got a couple of key wickets. Brook in the first innings. Couple in this innings. He is obviously young in Test cricket but he's played a lot of cricket and knows how to go about his business.
Jake, I thought, rough start in the first innings. When you are chasing 200, you want to settle the nerves and get off to a good start. The partnership with Travis up top was amazing, it set us up for the rest of the innings.
I hope so, he's an absolute weapon. He's the captain and he's arguably the best bowler in the world. We will see, now that we have nearly a week off before the next game. Proud of the boys, a great win.
Sensational, it was a great crowd plenty of noise out there and created a great vibe. Hope to see the same in the coming games."
Probably about Tea time. We were thinking of a few discussions. Travis was like, I wanna do it, I was like mate, go for it. Nathan Lyon was talked about, but I think we made the right decision in the end.
I think it is right up there with the knocks I have seen from anyone. Fourth innings, although Day 2 but wicket was probably at its best to bat. He played really nice shots, when they went short, he took it on. He hit the gaps and was toying with them. I thought Marnus did a good job, scored at a good rate. Yeah, a good win.
He was unbelievable. Two of the big three out, you know a lot on his shoulders. He bowled beautifully. It was a terrible cricket ball we had in the first innings. We were struggled to get the seam right. The way he bowled to take 7 was outstanding.
I think all of the bowlers did well today. We had a better ball today. We were getting it in the right areas. Scott Boland bowled in the right areas. Starc was brilliant, he did what he has done for a long time, created a lot of chances.
Doggie did really well. He got a couple of key wickets. Brook in the first innings. Couple in this innings. He is obviously young in Test cricket but he's played a lot of cricket and knows how to go about his business.
Jake, I thought, rough start in the first innings. When you are chasing 200, you want to settle the nerves and get off to a good start. The partnership with Travis up top was amazing, it set us up for the rest of the innings.
I hope so, he's an absolute weapon. He's the captain and he's arguably the best bowler in the world. We will see, now that we have nearly a week off before the next game. Proud of the boys, a great win.
Sensational, it was a great crowd plenty of noise out there and created a great vibe. Hope to see the same in the coming games."
Fastest 100s in The Ashes (by balls):
57 - Adam Gilchrist (Australia) , Perth, 2006
69 - Travis Head (Australia), Perth, 2025*
76 - Gilbert Jessop (England), The Oval, 1902
85 - Travis Head (Australia), Brisbane, 2021
85 - Joseph Darling (Australia), Sydney, 1898
57 - Adam Gilchrist (Australia) , Perth, 2006
69 - Travis Head (Australia), Perth, 2025*
76 - Gilbert Jessop (England), The Oval, 1902
85 - Travis Head (Australia), Brisbane, 2021
85 - Joseph Darling (Australia), Sydney, 1898
Highest Strike Rate for 100s in a Test Innings While Chasing:
148.19 – Travis Head vs England at Perth, 2025
147.82 – Jonny Bairstow vs New Zealand at Nottingham, 2022
132.14 – Nathan Astle vs England at Christchurch, 2002
148.19 – Travis Head vs England at Perth, 2025
147.82 – Jonny Bairstow vs New Zealand at Nottingham, 2022
132.14 – Nathan Astle vs England at Christchurch, 2002
Most Fielding Dismissals for an Australian Captain in Tests:
93 – Steve Smith*
90 – Ricky Ponting
89 – Allan Border
93 – Steve Smith*
90 – Ricky Ponting
89 – Allan Border
Least Balls Played in a Completed Test Match in Australia:
656 balls – Australia vs South Africa at Melbourne, 1932
847 balls – Australia vs England, at Perth, 2025*
866 balls – Australia vs South Africa at Brisbane, 2022
656 balls – Australia vs South Africa at Melbourne, 1932
847 balls – Australia vs England, at Perth, 2025*
866 balls – Australia vs South Africa at Brisbane, 2022
Highest Run Rate in a Successful 200+ Run Chase in Tests:
7.23 – Australia vs England, Perth, 2025*
5.98 – England vs New Zealand, Nottingham, 2022
5.77 – England vs South Africa, The Oval, 1994
7.23 – Australia vs England, Perth, 2025*
5.98 – England vs New Zealand, Nottingham, 2022
5.77 – England vs South Africa, The Oval, 1994
Least Overs Taken to Chase Down a 200+ Target in Test:
28.2 overs – Australia vs England, 2025 (Target: 205)* (THIS TEST)
35.3 overs – England vs South Africa, 1994 (Target: 204)
39.4 overs – New Zealand vs Bangladesh, 2008 (Target: 217)
28.2 overs – Australia vs England, 2025 (Target: 205)* (THIS TEST)
35.3 overs – England vs South Africa, 1994 (Target: 204)
39.4 overs – New Zealand vs Bangladesh, 2008 (Target: 217)
That's it from a magnificent but short-lived series opener to get the 2025/26 Ashes series going! Excellent bowling performances on day 1 and now equally brilliant batting performance from Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne to help seal the deal for Australia on day 2. Not to forget the excellent comeback from Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc's brilliant spell in the 2nd innings as well. The series has got the fiery start it needed with the hosts claiming the 1-0 lead with this 8-wicket win. The second game will be played in Brisbane from December 4 and will be a pink-ball affair.
That will be it from our coverage, Ninaad Dixit, Ajay Pal Singh the commentators; Bishal Mandal with the scores and Aman with the stats! Stay tuned for more cricketing action across formats and around the world! Goodbye!
That will be it from our coverage, Ninaad Dixit, Ajay Pal Singh the commentators; Bishal Mandal with the scores and Aman with the stats! Stay tuned for more cricketing action across formats and around the world! Goodbye!