Australia’s Travis Head produced a sensational century to information his workforce to an eight-wicket victory within the opening Ashes 2025-26 Take a look at, which wrapped up on Day 2 (Saturday, November 22) in Perth. England received the toss and selected to bat first however had been bundled out for 172 in 32.5 overs, with Harry Brook top-scoring with 52. For Australia, Mitchell Starc delivered an excellent spell, ending with figures of seven/58 from 12.5 overs.
In reply, England captain Ben Stokes turned the sport briefly with a fiery burst of 5/23 in six overs, bowling Australia out for 132 in 45.2 overs. England then managed 164 of their second innings, setting the hosts a goal of 205.
Within the fourth innings, Travis Head opened the batting alongside Jake Weatherald and launched a livid assault on England’s bowlers. He raced to a half-century in simply 36 balls and reached his hundred off solely 69 deliveries. Head completed with a wide ranging 123 off 83 balls, together with 16 fours and 4 sixes, as Australia chased down the goal in simply 28.2 overs to seal the win inside two days.
Following Travis Head’s blistering knock of 123, listed here are 5 data he set throughout the first Ashes Take a look at.
#1 Travis Head registered the second-fastest hundred in Ashes Exams
Travis Head introduced up his century in simply 69 balls within the opening Take a look at in opposition to England, making it the second-fastest hundred in Ashes historical past. The document continues to be held by fellow Australian and former wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist, who blasted a 57-ball century within the third Take a look at at Perth in December 2006.
Gilchrist went on to stay unbeaten on 102 off 59 deliveries, hitting 12 fours and 4 sixes, as Australia cruised to a 206-run victory.
#2 Quickest fourth-innings hundred in Exams
Throughout his breathtaking knock of 123 off 83 balls, Travis Head additionally set the document for the quickest fourth-innings century in Take a look at cricket, reaching the landmark in simply 69 deliveries.
He surpassed England’s Gilbert Jessop, who had held the document since 1902 after putting a 76-ball hundred within the fourth innings in opposition to Australia at The Oval. Jessop ultimately scored 104 off 77 balls, smashing 17 fours and guiding England to a one-wicket victory whereas chasing 263.
#3 Joint-fastest century by a gap batter in all Exams
Along with his 69-ball hundred, Travis Head equalled the document for the joint-fastest century by an opener in Exams. He matched the feat of fellow former Australian opener David Warner.
Warner had smashed his 69-ball ton throughout the Perth Take a look at in opposition to India in January 2012. He went on to attain a superb 180 off 159 deliveries, hitting 20 fours and 5 sixes, as Australia received the match by an innings and 37 runs.
#4 Highest strike fee in a profitable run chase in Take a look at cricket historical past
After mentioning his century in simply 69 balls, Travis Head went on to attain a blistering 123 off 83 deliveries at a strike fee of 148.19, guiding Australia to an eight-wicket victory. His innings additionally broke Jonny Bairstow’s document for the very best strike fee by a batter in a profitable Take a look at run chase.
Bairstow had struck 136 off 92 balls in opposition to New Zealand at Trent Bridge in Nottingham in 2022, smashing 14 fours and 7 sixes at a strike fee of 147.82. His explosive knock helped England chase down 299 and safe a five-wicket win.
#5 Joint third-fastest hundred by an Australian in Exams
Travis Head’s 69-ball century additionally positioned him joint third on the checklist of quickest lots of by an Australian in Take a look at cricket. The document is held by Adam Gilchrist, who blasted a 57-ball ton in opposition to England in Perth in 2006.
JM Gregory sits second, due to his 67-ball century in opposition to South Africa in Johannesburg in 1921. Head shares the third spot with David Warner, who additionally registered a 69-ball hundred, achieved in opposition to India in Perth in 2012.
Edited by Dev Sharma
