Travis Head eases Australia to win in first Ashes Test after England collapse

England suffered another Ashes nightmare Down Under after falling to a humiliating two-day defeat in the first Test against Australia.

A two-month tour that began with high hopes of regaining the urn just 48 hours earlier lurched towards a brutal eight-wicket loss that was their fastest since their last two-day capitulation in 1921.

England’s error-prone batting was found wanting for the second day in a row as they tossed away a strong position and opened the door to a thrashing at the hands of 69-ball centurion Travis Head.

A disappointing start to the series.

We're beaten in Perth. pic.twitter.com/gsmjButBLy

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 22, 2025

Sterling work by their pace attack somehow turned their day one effort of 172 into a first-innings lead of 40, and just after lunch that had swelled to 105 for the lost of a single wicket. But they proceeded to lose nine for 99 – a job for the emergency services in any country – as the worst fears of England fans came true.

Some late blows from the tail left Australia chasing 205, the highest score of the match, but they walked it as Head smashed the English attack to all parts.

Stepping up as makeshift opener with Usman Khawaja nursing back pain he hammered 123 in 83 balls, the second-quickest Ashes hundred ever, as a crestfallen bowling group saw their previous menace evaporate.

But the real fault lay with the batters who pressed them back into service so soon. England were unforgivably loose in losing all 20 wickets in just 67.5 overs and their inability to keep out a Baggy Green attack shorn of key men Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will cut deep. In their absence Mitchell Starc was unstoppable, taking combined figures of 10 for 133.

Australia were bowled out