Ashes: Head, Starc lead Australia to eight-wicket win in Perth Test

Published

7 months ago

November 22, 2025

Perth: England slumped to a heavy defeat in the opening Ashes Test as Travis Head’s explosive century powered Australia to a remarkable comeback victory in Perth on Saturday.

In the first Ashes match to finish inside two days since 1921, Head tore apart England’s bowling with a breathtaking 69-ball hundred – the second-fastest in Ashes history. His 123 carried Australia to their target of 205 in just 28.2 overs, securing an eight-wicket win and a 1-0 lead in the five-Test series.

The turnaround was dramatic. Australia had conceded a 40-run first-innings deficit and were effectively 105 behind when England moved to 65-1 shortly after lunch, only for the match to unravel for the visitors. Mitchell Starc’s 10-wicket haul, combined with a series of poor English shots and a bold Australian call to elevate Head up the order, deepened England’s long-running struggles in the country – they have now lost 14 and drawn two of 16 Tests in Australia since 2011.

A collapse of six wickets for 39 runs in 11 overs – including a brutal spell of 3-0 in six balls that removed Ollie Pope, Harry Brook and Joe Root – left England reeling. Despite a brief counterattack from Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse, who added a fifty stand, England were dismissed for 164 in 34.4 overs, losing their final nine wickets for 99.

Chasing what would be the highest total of the match, Australia instead romped home as Head produced one of the great Ashes knocks. England’s bowlers, so dominant the previous day, were dismantled, while the Perth crowd revelled in the one-sided finish.

The only suspense was whether the contest would stretch into a third day. Head ensured it would not, giving England ample time to reflect ahead of the day-night second Test in Brisbane on December 4.

Brief Scores: England 172 (Harry Brook 52; Mitchell Starc 7-58) & 164 (Gus Atkinson 37; Scott Boland 4-33) lost to Australia 132 (Alex Carey 26; Ben Stokes 5-23) & 205/2 (Travis Head 123; Brydon Carse 2-44) by eight wickets.

Related Topics:Ashes Australia England Perth Travis Head

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India set for bumper New Zealand tour featuring 10 white-ball matches and Two Tests

Published

6 days ago

June 3, 2026

Staff Reporter

India will undertake the biggest-ever international cricket tour of New Zealand later this year, playing two tests, five one-day internationals and five Twenty20 matches against the Black Caps.

India will open the tour with the T20s in late October and early November quickly followed by the ODI series.

The first test takes place at Wellington’s Basin Reserve from November 19 to 23. The second test will be at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval from November 27 to December 1.

“When it comes to cricket – it simply doesn’t get bigger than India and we’re determined to deliver New Zealanders a tour like no other,” said New Zealand Cricket’s Glenn Critchley. “We’re expecting all of these games to sell out.”

After travelling to play four tests in Australia around the New Year, New Zealand will also host Sri Lanka in three ODIs, three T20s, and two tests in January and February, 2027.

The White Ferns women’s team will host Bangladesh for three T20s and three ODIs in December.

No RCB victory parade in Bengaluru as fans celebrate title win indoors

Published

1 week ago

June 1, 2026

Staff Reporter

The passionate fans will not be able to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title defence with the team after the franchise decided against holding a victory parade in the city in order to avoid the crowd frenzy, which led to last year’s deadly stampede.

Virat Kohli once again delivered on the biggest stage as Royal Challengers Bengaluru defended their IPL title with a five-wicket win over Gujarat Titans in the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday, extending his remarkable run of consistency in a format increasingly dominated by ultra-aggressive batting.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s second IPL title win came on Rajat Patidar’s 33rd birthday but more than that happy coincidence the skipper was pleased with his team’s start-to-end domination in the league.

The RCB took such a decision also keeping in mind the swearing-in ceremony of newly-appointed Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

Rishabh Pant quits LSG captaincy after IPL 2026 debacle

Published

2 weeks ago

May 29, 2026

Staff Reporter

Rishabh Pant has stepped down as Lucknow Super Giants captain following the IPL 2026 season. During his two-year stint, LSG failed to secure a playoff berth, managing only 10 wins under his leadership. The franchise finished seventh last season and ended this year at the bottom of the table. He was bought for INR 27 crore and was immediately handed the captaincy baton, but absolutely nothing worked well for the franchise since then.

“Lucknow Super Giants wish to formally announce that Rishabh Pant has requested to be relieved from his captaincy duties with the franchise, and the franchise has accepted the request with immediate effect,” LSG’s statement read.