Travis Head produced a superb century to steer Australia to an eight-wicket win over England in the opening Ashes Test in Perth on Saturday. The match ended in just two days, the first time an Ashes fixture was wrapped up so quickly since 1921, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Chasing 205, Head, who was promoted to open the innings, launched a fierce assault on England’s bowlers and raced to a 69-ball hundred. He fell in the deep with only 13 runs required, and Marnus Labuschagne, unbeaten on 51, completed the chase in the 29th over.

Australia’s triumph kept their unbeaten streak alive in the current World Test Championship cycle, giving them four wins from four games. England stayed in sixth place with two wins and three defeats from six matches, and their points percentage dropped from 43.3 to 36.1 after the setback at the Optus Stadium.

England had the upper hand in the first four sessions, but everything changed when their batting lineup crumbled following the lunch break on Day 2. After opting to bat first, Stokes saw his team dismissed for just 172. Mitchell Starc, leading a weakened bowling lineup, produced his best-ever figures of 7 for 58.

Australia were later dismissed for 132, with no batter scoring more than 26. Stokes claimed a five-wicket haul, capitalising on the early momentum generated by his fast bowlers.

In their second innings, England looked comfortable at 65 for 1 before the game shifted dramatically. After reaching 76 for 2, they collapsed, losing three wickets without adding a run and nearly a fourth after a missed chance. They eventually folded for 164, leaving Australia with a modest target and plenty of time, with three full days and one session available to complete the chase.