Perth Stadium witnessed its biggest-ever Test match attendance as Australia wrapped up the opening Ashes Test in just two days. The opening Test of the Ashes drew 49,983 spectators on Day 2, taking the total to 101,514. This meant that it surpassed the previous venue record of 96,463 set during last year’s Test against India. The packed stands provided a fierce backdrop to a contest that moved at breakneck pace.
Australia completed an eight-wicket victory to go 1–0 ahead in the five-match series, with the match finishing inside two days for the first time in an Ashes encounter since 1921. The margin and the timing were overshadowed only by the noise generated as Perth embraced its return to hosting the series opener. Travis Head’s stunning assault shaped Australia’s charge after they were set 205 to win. Promoted to open in place of Usman Khawaja, he blasted a 69-ball century and finished with 123 from 83 deliveries, turning the chase into a formality. Reflecting on the whirlwind two days, Head said: “Wow, what a couple of days. It’s been unbelievable… To be able to contribute the way I did, it feels pretty special.” His innings came after England surrendered momentum in the second session. At 65 for 1, they appeared poised to build a strong lead before Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc tore through the middle order. Boland dismissed Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook in a rapid burst, while Starc removed Joe Root and then Ben Stokes, completing a ten-wicket match haul. England’s captain admitted the collapse had rattled them. “Little bit shell-shocked there,” Stokes said. He also acknowledged Head’s influence, adding: “Travis Head was phenomenal, jeez that was some knock.”
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A late stand between Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse lifted England to 164, leaving Australia 205 to chase. From there, Head dominated until his dismissal, before Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith completed the job. Australia now carry a 1–0 advantage heading into the next Test, with both sides set to assess conditions and availability in the coming days.
