On November 23, 2025, the first Ashes Test in Perth ended before lunch on day three — not because of rain, but because Cricket Australia’s batsmen turned a near-certain English victory into a historic collapse. The England cricket team, led by captain Ben Stokes, had looked dominant at lunch, holding a commanding lead with just one wicket down. By tea? They were all out. And by 4:17 p.m. local time? Travis Head had smashed 123 off 83 balls to wrap up the match in just two days. The 7NEWS Australia crew called it "chaotic." Fans called it unforgettable.
A Collapse No One Saw Coming
England’s innings began like a slow-motion triumph. After bowling Australia out for 298 on day one, they replied with steady, disciplined batting. By lunch on day two, they were 197 for 1 — 102 runs ahead, with Joe Root and Ben Stokes still at the crease. The W.A.C.A. Ground was quiet, almost resigned. Australia’s bowlers looked spent. England’s fans began planning their return for day three.
Then, the bottom fell out.
In the space of 47 overs after lunch, England lost their last nine wickets for 94 runs. No one batted more than 25 balls. The collapse wasn’t due to bad luck — it was a cascade of poor shots, misjudged risks, and panicked triggers. Mark Wood edged a short ball to slip. Ollie Pope drove at a wide one. Jonny Bairstow, looking to accelerate, sliced a cutter straight to gully. The scoreboard didn’t just tick over — it imploded. England finished at 205, setting Australia a target that, by all logic, should’ve taken four sessions.
Head’s Fury: A Batting Masterclass
When Travis Head walked out to bat, the pressure was absurd. The crowd was electric. The media was already writing obituaries for England’s chances. Head didn’t just respond — he detonated.
He targeted the spinners like they were bowling at a net session. He pulled fast bowlers through square leg with brutal ease. His first 50 came in 34 balls. His second 50? Just 33 more. At one point, he hit six boundaries in a single over from Stuart Broad — the kind of over that makes commentators forget to breathe.
His 123 runs came at a strike rate of 148.19 — the highest by an Australian in a successful Test chase since 2018. He didn’t just win the match. He made it feel like a one-man exhibition. Australia reached 206 for 4 with 22 balls to spare. No one else scored more than 22. Head didn’t need help. He just needed a bat.
Stokes’ Silence, Australia’s Roar
After the match, Ben Stokes stood at the podium, visibly drained. 7NEWS Australia captured his brief remarks — no quotes were released, but the body language said everything. He didn’t shake hands with the umpires. He didn’t smile. He just nodded, turned, and walked off. No excuses. No theatrics. Just the quiet of a man who’d watched his team unravel in real time.
Meanwhile, in the Australian dressing room, the mood was euphoric. Head was hoisted onto shoulders. Pat Cummins, Australia’s captain, told reporters: "We knew they’d crack. We just didn’t expect it to be that fast." The victory gave Australia a 1-0 lead in the five-match 2025 Ashes series, a series steeped in 143 years of history — and now, one unforgettable day in Perth.
Why This Matters Beyond the Scoreboard
This wasn’t just a win. It was a psychological reset. England came into this series as favorites. Their Test record over the past 18 months had been solid. They’d beaten India at home. They’d drawn with South Africa. But this — this collapse — exposes a fragility that can’t be fixed with tactics alone.
For Australia, it’s a statement. They’ve got pace, they’ve got grit, and now they’ve got Head — a player who thrives under pressure like few others. His innings was the fastest century by an Australian in an Ashes Test since 2010. It’s the kind of performance that changes series momentum.
And for fans? It’s a reminder that Test cricket, for all its pace and power, still holds moments of pure, unscripted chaos. One moment, England were cruising. The next, they were gone. One moment, Head was just another batter. The next, he was a legend in the making.
What’s Next in the Ashes?
The next Test begins on November 29, 2025, in Adelaide. The W.A.C.A. pitch was quick and bouncy — perfect for Head’s style. Adelaide’s surface is slower, more turn-friendly. England will likely bring in a spinner to exploit that. But with Head in form and Australia’s attack firing, they’ll need more than pitch conditions to turn things around.
Stokes has said publicly he’ll stick with his core group. But if the next two Tests follow the same script, pressure will mount on England’s middle order — and possibly on Stokes himself.
Historical Context: The Ashes, in One Day
The Ashes began in 1882 after Australia beat England at The Oval for the first time on English soil. A satirical obituary in The Sporting Times declared English cricket "dead," and the ashes were sent to Australia. Since then, the series has been the fiercest rivalry in sport — with moments like Ian Botham’s 1981 miracle, Shane Warne’s "Ball of the Century," and Michael Clarke’s 189 in 2012.
But few have matched the sheer absurdity of November 23, 2025. A match that lasted just 138 overs. A target of 205 chased in 33.3 overs. A man who turned a Test into a highlight reel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How rare is it for a Test match to end on the second day?
Endings on day two are extremely rare in modern Test cricket — fewer than 10 since 2000. The last time an Ashes Test ended on day two was in 2010 at Trent Bridge, when Australia chased 165 in 34 overs. Head’s 123 off 83 balls is the fastest century in an Ashes chase since 2010, making this one of the most explosive finishes in the rivalry’s history.
What impact does this win have on Australia’s chances in the 2025 Ashes series?
Winning the first Test in the Ashes gives Australia a massive psychological edge. Historically, teams that win the opening match win the series 68% of the time since 2000. With Head in peak form and England’s batting exposed, Australia now controls the narrative — and the pressure shifts squarely to England’s middle order.
Why did England’s batting collapse happen so suddenly?
Post-lunch, England’s batters abandoned patience and chased quick runs against a disciplined Australian attack. Nathan Lyon exploited the rough outside off-stump, while Pat Cummins and Scott Boland used pace and seam movement to induce edges. The collapse wasn’t due to one error — it was a systemic breakdown in judgment under pressure, with six players scoring 10 or fewer runs after lunch.
Is Travis Head’s performance comparable to other legendary Ashes innings?
Yes — in terms of strike rate and impact, Head’s 123 off 83 balls rivals Michael Clarke’s 130 off 128 balls in 2013 and even Sir Donald Bradman’s 173 off 177 balls in 1930. But it’s more comparable to Virender Sehwag’s 201 in 165 balls against South Africa — a blistering, match-defining knock. Few have turned a Test on its head so quickly.
What’s the significance of the W.A.C.A. Ground in this match?
The W.A.C.A. is known for its fast, bouncy pitch — ideal for Australia’s pace attack. But it’s also a venue where batting collapses happen — think of England’s 2010 collapse here, when they were bowled out for 60. This match marks the third time since 2000 that England has been dismissed for under 210 at the W.A.C.A. — and the first time they’ve lost a Test there after holding a lead at lunch.
