Travis Head was excellent with the bat, coming into the opening position during the fourth innings of the opening Ashes 2025/26 Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth as Australia were aiming to cross the winning line by getting 205 runs. He got the chance to open after the left-handed regular opener, Usman Khawaja, got back spasms. 

Travis Head smashed a fine knock of 123 runs in 83 balls at a strike rate of 148.19 with the help of 16 boundaries and four sixes. He had a massive partnership of 117 runs for the second wicket in 92 balls with Marnus Labuschagne, who remained unbeaten on 51 runs in 49 balls at a strike rate of 104.08 with the help of six boundaries and one six as they completed the chase in 28.2 overs.

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“This wicket- it kind of gets better, I think, at the end of day two. It was probably at its best for the game this late this evening. We saw that probably last year.”- Steve Smith, Australia’s stand-in captain, reckoned in the press conference to which Head went ‘Oh come on, mate!!’

Watch: Travis Head’s cheeky reply to Steve Smith post 1st Ashes 2025/26 Test win

England were bundled out for 172 runs in the first innings, thanks to the half-century knock from Harry Brook, while Ollie Pope smashed a fine 46-run knock. Australia ended with a low 132 score in the first innings as the visitors’ bowlers went hard at the home side, with Ben Stokes picking 5/23 in six overs.

 

 

 

 

 

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England notched up 164 runs in their second innings. At one point, they were 65/1 and ended up losing their nine wickets for 99 runs, with Scott Boland ending with figures of 4/33 in 11.4 overs while Mitchell Starc and Brendan Doggett shared six wickets between them.

“I was happy to do it. It doesn’t bother me too much. We’d spoken about it - we know what England’s short-ball plans look like, we saw plenty of it in 2023. The coaching staff and Patty (Cummins) had a few ideas, and this was one of them.” Head was told in the post-match presentation.