Travis Head scores century as Australia defeat England in Perth Test

"Makeshift opener Travis Head smacked an explosive 69-ball century to power Australia to victory in a high-octane first Ashes Test on Saturday as England meekly surrendered in the Perth Stadium cauldron. Chasing 205 to win, Head slammed 123 as the hosts romped home on the second day by eight wickets in an electric start to the five-match series. Marnus Labuschagne was not out on 51, and Steve Smith was on two."

"Head's heroics came on the back of a blistering spell from the marauding pace pair Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc after lunch that prompted a stunning England collapse. The tourists were cruising at 65-1 and building an ominous second-innings lead, but Boland and Starc left them reeling with four wickets in as many overs. A ruthless Boland accounted for Ben Duckett (28), Ollie Pope (33) and Harry Brook (0) in the space of 11 balls, then two deliveries later, Starc sent Joe Root packing for eight."

"When they returned, Usman Khawaja again failed to show as an opener as he battles back stiffness, with Australia signalling their intent by sending in Head. Head, who has opened nine times previously in Test cricket, quickly got into his destructive rhythm, crunching some lovely boundaries, including big sixes off Carse and Mark Wood. He made it look easy, making a mockery of the struggles other batsmen had on the bouncy track, bringing up his half-century in 36 balls, passing 4,000 Test runs in the process."

Travis Head scored a rapid 69-ball century, finishing 123 as Australia chased 205 and won by eight wickets to take a 1-0 Ashes lead. Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc produced a devastating spell after lunch, removing four wickets in four overs to trigger an England collapse from 65-1 to 88-6. Boland dismissed Duckett, Pope and Brook in quick succession while Starc removed Root and later Stokes, completing a ten-wicket match haul. England were all out for 164. Usman Khawaja struggled with stiffness, Jake Weatherald was out cheaply, and Marnus Labuschagne remained 51 not out.

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