Head Powers Australia to Victory

A sublime century from Travis Head powered Australia to a comprehensive eight wicket victory in the first Ashes Test at Perth’s Optus Stadium.

Head crashed 123 from just 83 deliveries as Australia reached 205 – 2 in only 28.2 overs, after earlier punishing a woeful batting performance from England and dismissing them for 164.

The left-handed Australian was only promoted to open the batting in the absence of the injured Usman Khawaja and immediately set about putting England to the sword alongside fellow opener Jake Weatherald.

The hosts raced to 75 – 1 in 11.3 overs, before Brydon Carse dismissed Weatherald for 23, with Head leading the charge and reaching a quickfire half-century in just 36 balls.

Alongside Marnus Labuschagne (51*), he continued on his merry way, pummelling the English bowlers to all corners of the ground, as he completed an imperious 69 ball century.

Despite Carse ending the second fastest Ashes century, Labuschagne and Australian stand-in skipper Steve Smith (2*) safely saw them home.

England had earlier thrown away a dominant position of their own, after establishing a 40 run lead following the conclusion of Australia’s first innings on 132.

They were in the driving seat at 59 – 1 at lunch and with a lead of 99, only to implode straight after with some questionable decisions and shot selection.

Scott Boland (4 – 33) removed the set pair of Ben Duckett (28) and Ollie Pope (33), alongside Harry Brook (0), before Mitchell Starc knocked over Joe Root (8) on his route to claiming a 10 wicket haul for the match.

The further loss of captain Ben Stokes (2) and Jamie Smith (15) courtesy of a controversial decision from the third umpire saw England slide to 104 – 7, a position that they were never able to fully recover from.

Gus Atkinson (37) and Brydon Carse (20) shared a 50 run stand for the eighth wicket, but England’s misery was complete as both fell either side of Jofra Archer (5).

England’s target of 205 always seemed a little light, although competitive, only for Head to steal the show and propel his side to a 1 – 0 series victory.

The second Test starts a week on Thursday, with The Gabba in Brisbane hosting the pink-ball Test.