Australia blew England away in the first Ashes Test to claim an eight-wicket victory inside two days at Perth Stadium.
Following Ben Stokes’ bowling heroics on day one, England seemingly took control of the match by bowling the hosts out for 132 on Saturday morning before Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope steered them safely to lunch.
But, the afternoon session was one of catastrophe as England lost four wickets for just 11 runs as added bounce and wayward strokes caused yet another third innings collapse when England should have taken control of the match.
Scott Boland found movement off the pitch and skittled both set batters, as well as Harry Brook, before Mitchell Starc claimed the crucial wickets of Joe Root and Ben Stokes. Brendan Doggett cleaned up the tail despite a fifty-partnership between Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse.
Even that wasn’t enough as Travis Head (123), promoted to open the batting after an injury to Usman Khawaja, took the attack to England’s seamers and mullered them around the ground as Australia made light work of the target. Marnus Labuschagne scored an unbeaten 51 and captain Steve Smith hit the winning runs as the hosts move 1-0 up in the series.
Follow all the analysis and reaction to a remarkable first Ashes Test Down Under:
The Ashes 2025/26: Australia v England, 1st Test, day two
- Australia chase down 205 runs on day two to win first Test in Perth
- Travis Head leads charge with 69 ball hundred finishing on 123
- England collapse in afternoon session and bowled out for 164
- REPORT: Why England’s haunting Ashes humiliation won’t lead to major change
- Why Head was promoted to open before producing ‘one of the great Ashes knocks’
Why England’s haunting Ashes humiliation won’t lead to major change
14:00 , Luke BakerShell-shocked is the word you’re looking for. On a morning where England came into the game ahead, on an afternoon when they had the match in their grasp, to an evening where they had lost.
Two batting collapses of spectacular proportions in as many days, capitalised upon by an astonishing Travis Head century. Australia won by eight wickets, in what turned into a humiliating defeat for the touring side.
Where do you want to start? As a team, England’s two innings lasted 67.3 overs. Not since 1904 have they ever been bowled out twice so quickly. As a whole, the Test was the ninth shortest in history. Perth was always meant to be fast, but not like this.
Read Cameron Ponsonby’s full analysis from Perth:
Why England’s haunting Ashes humiliation won’t lead to major change
Why Travis Head was promoted to open before producing ‘one of the great Ashes knocks’
22:34 , Luke BakerAustralia captain Steve Smith congratulated Travis Head for "one of the great Ashes knocks" after his swashbuckling century finished England off in the first Test in Perth.
For three innings, ball dominated bat to a staggering degree with England bowled out for 172 and 164, while Australia managed just 132 in their first attempt.
A target of 205 looked challenging in those circumstances but Head launched into a tirade, smashing 123 off just 83 balls. He cruised to three figures in 69 deliveries for the second fastest ton scored in the long history of the rivalry.
Why Travis Head was promoted to open before ‘one of the great Ashes knocks’
Remaining Ashes schedule
21:32 , Luke BakerSo, after that frustrating defeat for England, where do they go next?
Well, to Brisbane and ‘the Gabbatoir’ - things don’t get any easier... Here’s the full remaining schedule
Second Test, Gabba in Brisbane: 4-8 December (4.30am GMT)
Third Test, Adelaide Oval in Adelaide: 17-21 December (12am)
Fourth Test, MCG in Melbourne: 26-30 December (11.30pm, 25 December)
Fifth Test, SCG in Sydney: 4-8 January (11.30pm, 3 January)
Australia on a high after victory
20:32 , Luke BakerAustralia will be floating after that victory, knowing that unless England somehow win three of the next four Tests (and they haven’t even won one since the 2010/11 series), they’ll be retaining the Ashes.
They were understandably in a good mood post-win.
WATCH: Shell-shocked England fall to defeat inside two days
19:34 , Luke BakerCameron Ponsonby is our man on the ground in Perth and he’s given his analysis of that embarrassing England loss in the first Test
Brendon McCullum: 'That's the way we are'
18:34 , Luke BakerAnyone hoping for some pragmatism in England’s approach moving forward may want to look away now...
Head coach Brendon McCullum remains adamant that attacking cricket is the best approach and seems uninspired by Michael Vaughan’s suggestion that the warm-up match against Australian Prime Minister's XI next week should be used to give Test players game-time. It has currently been passed along to Andrew Flintoff’s England Lions side.
“We don’t do anything for optics, that’s the way we are,” McCullum told Test Match Special.
“We believe in our methods. We get it right sometimes and we get it wrong sometimes. We’ll let the dust settle on this and, over the next couple of days, we’ll work out whether a couple of guys going to play in that game is the right thing or whether keeping the team tight and making sure morale doesn’t drop is the alternative. We'll work on that and come up with a plan.
“I haven’t even thought about it just yet. I planned on us being here a little bit longer than two days.”
Ben Stokes 'wide-eyed' by end result
17:24 , Luke BakerEngland captain Ben Stokes spoke after the match and admitted to being ‘shell-shocked’ by the result.
"I'm shell-shocked a little bit, wide eyed after that to see what unfolded, particularly after the first day,” Stokes admitted.
“Our third innings with the bat then to see what Head did with the bat. It's hard to settle in with plans when you look up and the runs are coming down quickly."
"We were very confident having a 200 run lead for Australia to chase. The way that the wicket was playing was tough. There was a lot in it for the bowlers.
“Looking back on it, if you're the one out the with the opportunity in the middle, you've got to make sure the mentality that you've never had enough. The ones that had success were the ones who were brave enough to face the ball."
Michael Vaughan: It would be 'amateurish' for England to rest key players in warm-up match
16:01 , Luke BakerMichael Vaughan believes it would be “amateurish” if England maintained plans to rest key players from a practice match ahead of the pink-ball Ashes Test in Brisbane in a fortnight.
Those who featured this week were expected to skip a two-day match under lights next weekend against a Prime Minister's XI in Canberra, but England head coach Brendon McCullum hinted afterwards they could review the decision.
“I would say it's amateurish if they don't go and play,” England's Ashes 2005-winning captain Vaughan told the BBC's Test Match Special.
“What harm is playing two days of cricket with the pink ball under lights? What damage is it going to do you as a team and a player to play a pink-ball game to prepare yourself to play a pink-ball Test.”
Asked if it was only the batters who should try to get some time in the middle before the second Test at the Gabba, starting on December 4, Vaughan said: "The bowlers too. They've played two days of cricket.
"They've been out in the field for 70 overs. They're professional cricketers. I can't be so old school to suggest that by playing cricket, you might get a little bit better."
Pat Cummins gives himself ‘half a chance’ of playing second Ashes Test
15:01 , Luke BakerPat Cummins has given Australia another boost as they head to Brisbane, revealing that he has “half a chance” of being fit for the second Ashes Test.
The Australia captain missed the first Test in Perth due to a back injury, not that his side particularly needed him as the hosts raced to an eight-wicket victory inside two days.
Cummins was replaced in the bowling unit by Scott Boland, who took 4-33 in the second innings, and as skipper by Steve Smith but may yet surprisingly recover to feature in the day-night Test at the Gabba, in Brisbane, from 4 December.
Pat Cummins gives himself ‘half a chance’ of playing second Ashes Test
Why Travis Head was promoted to open before producing ‘one of the great Ashes knocks’
13:25 , Luke BakerAustralia captain Steve Smith congratulated Travis Head for "one of the great Ashes knocks" after his swashbuckling century finished England off in the first Test in Perth.
For three innings, ball dominated bat to a staggering degree with England bowled out for 172 and 164, while Australia managed just 132 in their first attempt.
A target of 205 looked challenging in those circumstances but Head launched into a tirade, smashing 123 off just 83 balls. He cruised to three figures in 69 deliveries for the second fastest ton scored in the long history of the rivalry.
Why Travis Head was promoted to open before ‘one of the great Ashes knocks’
WATCH: Steve Smith reflects on first Test win
12:55 , Luke BakerHere’s what Steve Smith had to say after the first Test win
Steve Smith discusses Aussie heroics from Travis Head and Mitchell Starc, and provides an injury update ahead of the next test 🇦🇺#TheAshes pic.twitter.com/3fGV0r2Tcu
— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) November 22, 2025
Ben Stokes left ‘shell-shocked’ by Travis Head’s 69-ball century in Ashes demolition
12:35 , Luke BakerEngland captain Ben Stokes declared himself shell-shocked by Travis Head's incredible innings of 123 as Australia roared back to crush the tourists.
Predictably, he declined to criticise his own side's batting approach after a second consecutive collapse triggered by a series of loose, early shots by the team's elite operators.
Stand-in opener Head then hit the second-fastest century in Ashes history en route to 123 and Marnus Labuschagne was unbeaten on 51 as Australia raced to their target in 28.2 overs.
Ben Stokes left ‘shell-shocked’ by Travis Head’s 69-ball century in Ashes demolition
Travis Head discusses his approach to game-winning innings
12:10 , Luke BakerTravis Head took this first Test away from England and he discussed his approach following the victory
“There was no gameplan,” insisted Head. “I was actually a proper opener for the first few overs.
“I feel like there were moments where I could open the batting at one stage, we had a few options but I was pretty keen to go out there. I knew the short-pitch stuff was coming. I thought if I could go out there and get a good start, I could make it easy for the guys behind me and it worked perfectly.
“I trained all four days before the Test because I knew it was a tough wicket. I wanted to be in my rhythm and ready to play. I'm old enough now, I've played enough cricket, I know what my preparation needs to be. I try to keep mentally fresh. The hardest part about this game is the mental side.
“I was hoping not to go too hard, I though I might've got another 20 or 30 runs. We're going to have moments throughout this series where either they fly or they don't. I though we moved our plans really great. We did exceptionally well in the first innings where they played really aggressive.”
WATCH: Australia win the first Ashes Test
11:53 , Luke BakerIf you’re Australian, or English but masochistic, and fancy watching the winning moment from that first Test - fill your boots.
Of course, the damage had long since been done by Travis Head by this point
Australia win the first Test in Perth by 8 wickets 🏏
— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) November 22, 2025
It's the first time in 104 years that an Ashes Test has ended inside two days 🫣
📺 Watch #TheAshes live on TNT and discovery+ pic.twitter.com/WzvwEXmBLG
Pat Cummins gives himself ‘half a chance’ of playing second Ashes Test
11:35 , Luke BakerPat Cummins has given Australia another boost as they head to Brisbane, revealing that he has “half a chance” of being fit for the second Ashes Test.
The Australia captain missed the first Test in Perth due to a back injury, not that his side particularly needed him as the hosts raced to an eight-wicket victory inside two days in a turbo-charged match that raised serious questions about the ability of England’s batting line-up to cope Down Under.
Cummins was replaced in the bowling unit by Scott Boland, who took 4-33 in the second innings, and as skipper by Steve Smith but may yet surprisingly recover to feature in the day-night Test at the Gabba, in Brisbane, from 4 December.
Pat Cummins gives himself ‘half a chance’ of playing second Ashes Test
How's stat? England's batting futility
11:21 , Luke BakerIf you’re after a damning indictment of England’s futility with the bat in this first Test, look no further.
Per Yas Rana, who works for Wisden, England faced fewer balls in that match than Alistair Cook did in his brilliant double ton in Brisbane during the 2010/11 Ashes.
428 balls vs 405. Oooof!
Alastair Cook faced more balls in his Brisbane double ton in 2010 than England faced in the whole Test here.
— Yas Rana (@Yas_Wisden) November 22, 2025
England won't change preparation
11:08 , Mike Jones"Tough one, nice long break. We'll let this hurt because it does and we've got to get over this and get back training hard as we do then get ourselves to Brisbane,” revealed Ben Stokes when speaking to TMS.
"We've operated in this way where we know that the preparation we put in is correct in the way it works for us. I've been asked this question a lot, that's how it was done a long time ago. We prepare incredibly well and work incredibly hard everyday we get the opportunity to work on our game.
"That's what we'll keep on doing we trust in out process and if the result don't go in our favour, we won't do different from that because we know, hand on heart, we know we put every ounce of ourselves into our training and we know and believe that this is the best way to operate."
The defeat will 'hurt' England
11:00 , Mike Jones"This one will hurt us,” concluded McCullum.
“Not just us but the people who follow the English cricket team as well. There will be a lot of chatter and for us it's about making sure we don't let our confidence and camaraderie dip too low.
“We know that at our best we are a good cricket team. We have an extended time off and we have 10 to 12 days to bounce back. We've done it before.
“We'll believe in what we want to achieve at Brisbane.”
Head's innings was 'outstanding'
10:54 , Mike JonesThat’s according to McCullum who added: "It was an extraordinary knock. We've always said if someone stands up to us and produces a performance like that you have to tip your cap.
“We will go away and figure how we can control things better if that happens again. At the same time you have to acknowledge how special that knock was, particularly out of position.
“It was a brave call to put him up the order. He battered it to all parts.”
McCullum disappointed by defeat
10:47 , Mike JonesEngland coach Brendan McCullum spoke to TNT Sports after the game and outlined his disappointment over losing the first test.
"I'm a little bit disappointed obviously. I thought 200 was a pretty good score for us to try to defend in the last innings. The way that Travis Head played was absolutely outstanding.
“That's one of the best knocks in a pressure situation on a tough wicket. He knocked us off our lengths when we wanted to hold our lengths as long as we could, and we thought that was the most dangerous thing on the pitch.
“We weren't able to do that due to the pressure they put us under so fair play.”
More reaction from Ben Stokes
10:35 , Mike JonesSpeaking at the post-match presentation Stokes said: "A little shellshocked at the moment. That innings from Travis Head was pretty phenomenal. It's quite raw, and fresh, at the moment but geez that was some knock. The way it eked out, the guys who had success there with the bat in hand were the guys who seemed to take the game on.
"If we look back on that it looked like you should never think you have enough. I think if you find yourself in the position of the guy who got in try to give yourself the best chance of going on. Anyone who tried to stay around, and occupy the crease didn't have too much success. The knock from Travis knocked the wind out of us. We tried three or four different plans to Travis Head but when he's going like a train he's very hard to stop.
"The guys who found success looked to take the bowlers on, take on their best ball. There was certainly a lot of assistance there when the bowlers put it in the right area. The guys who were brave enough to knock the bowlers off their length seemed to find their success.
"A lot happened on day one. A good day for the bowlers. But this is a tough one to start with given we felt in control of the game. We have four more games here. We have to let this sink in. It's hurting at the moment but we have to get our head round it and get to Brisbane. We have a long time before that game starts and put in the hard graft for Brisbane."
Post match reaction from Mitchell Starc
10:22 , Mike Jones"You see Travis take the game on like that an come up trumps, that was something to watch. That was something else. You cannot go home and not be happy with the entertainment,” Starc said.
"It was a helter skelter two days for both sides, and there was a lot made about both sides before the series. We knew if we stick to our guns and do what we do well as a group we would be okay. We saw Scott Boland today and Brendan Doggett on debut was fantastic.
"I was pretty calm for the whole week. It's the first time I've not had Josh or Pat there for a while but Scott had been around a long time. I was the old head in the group this week but it didn't change my role at all. I knew if I could I do what I've mostly done all right over the years it would keep us in good stead."
Inspired Travis Head inflicts nightmare Ashes loss on brittle England
10:20 , Mike JonesEngland suffered another Ashes nightmare Down Under after falling to a humiliating two-day defeat in the first Test against Australia.
A two-month tour that began with high hopes of regaining the urn just 48 hours earlier lurched towards a brutal eight-wicket loss that was their fastest since their last two-day capitulation in 1921.
England’s error-prone batting was found wanting for the second day in a row as they tossed away a strong position and opened the door to a thrashing at the hands of 69-ball centurion Travis Head.
Inspired Travis Head inflicts nightmare Ashes loss on brittle England
Stokes 'wide-eyed' by end result
10:14 , Mike JonesEngland captain Ben Stokes spoke to Test Match Special after the match and admitted to being ‘shellshocked’ by the result.
"I'm shellshocked a little bit, wide eyed after that to see what unfolded, particularly after the first day,” Stokes admitted.
“Our third innings with the bat then to see what Head did with the bat. It's hard to settle in with plans when you look up and the runs are coming down quickly."
"We were very confident having a 200 run lead for Australia to chase. The way that the wicket was playing was tough. There was a lot in it for the bowlers.
“Looking back on it, if you're the one out the with the opportunity in the middle, you've got to make sure the mentality that you've never had enough. The ones that had success were the ones who were brave enough to face the ball."
Contrasting fortunes to shock result
10:11 , Mike JonesRead what you will into the expressions of the two captains in the post match interviews.
Nothing went right for England after lunch and Travis Head blew them away.
An incredible result
10:06 , Mike JonesThis is the sixth Ashes Test to have finished in two days, and first time in 256 Ashes Tests in 104 years:
Lord's, July 1888 - Australia won by 61 runs
The Oval, August 1888 - England won by an innings and 137 runs
Manchester, August 1888 - England won by an innings and 21 runs
The Oval, August 1890 - England won by 2 wickets
Nottingham, May 1921 - Australia won by 10 wickets
Perth, November 2025 - Australia won by 8 wickets
Head decided to step up to open
10:02 , Mike JonesWith Usman Khawaja’s back injury someone else was needed to open the batting and Travis Head admitted to taking on the role.
"I was happy to do it, it doesn't bother me too much. I sort of floated the idea, nice to play a role,” he said.
“Coach, captain [decided he'd open]. We threw some ideas around the room. I was pretty keen to do it.
“Quite easily could have been out in the first over, didn't really matter it was the right process, right way to go about it.”
Post match reaction from Travis Head
10:01 , Mike JonesTravis Head spoke to TNT Sports after the match saying the result will set the tone for the series.
"Good start. they're a seriously good outfit, and we couldn't let Starc-y getting 7-58 slip,” he said.
"First game of the series to set the tone. I feel sorry for the 60,000 who were due to come here tomorrow.
"They've got serious fast bowling. I just tried to hit down the breeze. I knew I was going to get tested in all departments, when I got 50-60 I could feel the momentum.
"I got 99 here a few years ago, I've wasted a couple. It was a pretty good wicket, day two, nice not having to bat day four or five.
"We're 1-0 up, we're going to Brisbane, if that's anything to go by it's going to be a hell of a series."
Stokes 'shell shocked' by result
09:57 , Mike JonesSpeaking at the post game presentation, Ben Stokes admits to being a bit ‘shell shocked’ by how the game ended.
He admits that Travis Head’s innings of 123 was ‘phenomenal’ and ‘did for us’.
Mitchell Starc awarded player of the match
09:54 , Mike JonesMitchell Starc has a big grin on his face as he is announced as the player of the match.
He took 10-113 across both innings and claimed the crucial wickets of Joe Root and Ben Stokes today.
Starc also claimed the wicket of Zak Crawley in the first over of each of England’s innings.
Without Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins he led from the front.
Australia win the first test by eight wickets!
09:52 , Mike JonesAustralia blew England away in the first Ashes Test to claim an eight wicket victory inside two days at Perth Stadium.
Following Ben Stokes’ bowling heroics on day one, England seemingly took control of the match by bowling the hosts out for 132 on Saturday morning before Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope steered them safely to lunch.
But, the afternoon session was one of catastrophe as England lost four wickets for just 11 runs as added bounce and wayward strokes caused yet another third innings collapse when England should have taken control of the match.
Scott Boland found movement off the pitch and skittled both set batters, as well as Harry Brook, before Mitchell Starc claimed the crucial wickets of Joe Root and Ben Stokes. Brendan Doggett cleaned up the tail despite a fifty-partnership between Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse.
Even that wasn’t enough as Travis Head (123), promoted to open the batting after an injury to Usman Khawaja, took the attack to England’s seamers and mullered them around the ground as Australia made light work of the target. Marnus Labuschagne scored an unbeaten 51 and captain Steve Smith hit the winning runs as Australia move 1-0 up in the series.
Australia win the first test by eight wickets!
09:42 , Mike JonesWith one run left to win, Steve Smith cuts Brydon Carse to the cover boundary for four.
Two crazy days come to a close with Australia the victors in the opening Test of the series!
Australia 204-2 (Smith 1, Labuschagne 51), target to win is 205
09:40 , Mike JonesJoe Root comes on for a bowl.
Labuschagne and Smith milk him for singles. Labuschagne then advances and knock Root over his head for another four runs.
Huge!
Labuschagne dances down the track and smashes Root into the stands for six!
It brings up his fifty and brings the scores level as well.
Wicket! Australia 192-2 (Head 123)
09:36 , Mike JonesEngland have a second.
Travis Head tries to finish the job but lofts the ball into the outfield and is caught by Ollie Pope.
There’s only 13 runs left to get and the damage has been done.
The Perth Stadium rises to him and he takes in the deserved applause.
Australia 192-1 (Head 123, Labuschagne 40), target to win is 205
09:34 , Mike JonesBrydon Carse has been brought back on for the thankless task of getting Australia over the line.
Head smokes him away for four runs, then cuts him for a couple more.
Four more! There’s no stopping Travis Head.
Australia 182-1 (Head 121, Labuschagne 40), target to win is 205
09:29 , Mike JonesFour! Labuschagne backs away and Atkinson follows him with a short ball. The Australian No.3 smashes it away through the legside and finds the boundary.
Another pull brings him a single. This partnership is creeping up towards 100 as well.
And there it is!
Head gets on strike and spanks back-to-back boundaries to take the partnership up to 102 runs.
Head gets one and Labuschagne unleashes for another boundary.
20 runs come from the over and Australia need just 23 runs to win.
Australia 162-1 (Head 104, Labuschagne 31), target to win is 205
09:23 , Mike JonesAn extra half an hour has been granted so Australia have the chance to win this today. Play will go on until 9.50am GMT or until the runs are knocked off.
Archer continues.
He bowls a cutter to Head who cuts him away for one.
A guided ramp from Labuschagne brings a second run from the over.
43 runs to win.
Australia 160-1 (Head 103, Labuschagne 30), target to win is 205
09:19 , Mike JonesAtkinson bowls on but there’s no stopping Australia now.
Labuschagne takes him for two and then one to give Head the strike.
He loops one into the legside but it falls short of Joe Root.
Labuschagne comes back on strike and pulls the ball away for another one.
Head ends the over with a flick for one. Six more from it.
Australia 154-1 (Head 101, Labuschagne 26), target to win is 205
09:15 , Mike JonesArcher drops one short at Labuschagne who whacks him away for four.
He’ll have eyes on a half century himself. Things could progress quite quickly from here as Australia pass 150.
Six runs come from Archer’s over.
Australia 147-1 (Head 100, Labuschagne 20), target to win is 205
09:09 , Mike JonesTravis Head is employing the aggressive nature of batting that Bazball hopes to be.
He was watchful early in the innings and saw off the opening spells of Archer and Atkinson before unleashing as the ball got more worn.
Australia need 58 runs to win.
Australia 146-1 (Head 100, Labuschagne 19), target to win is 205
09:07 , Mike JonesHead cuts Atkinson away and finds another gap to collect another two runs.
He’s slowed down as he approaches a century and it would be a well earned one should he get there.
Head goes aerial over the offside. It’s over cover and there’s no one there. A four brings him to 99...
... Century! Head touches the ball into the offside and brings up his 10th Test match hundred and a third against England.
It’s the second fastest Australian hundred in Ashes cricket. His ton comes up off just 69 balls.
Australia 138-1 (Head 93, Labuschagne 19), target to win is 205
09:02 , Mike JonesTwo runs taken from Archer’s latest over.
Head is jumping all over the crease, Archer is mixing things up with cutters and slower balls.
Australia 136-1 (Head 92, Labuschagne 18), target to win is 205
08:57 , Mike JonesPlay is due to end in around 25 minutes with potentially a further half an hour that can be added on.
Travis Head seems keen to end this match within that time.
Labuschagne takes one off Atkinson, Head then smokes him for four with a cut to third man.
Atkinson overcorrects and Head pulls him to fine leg for another boundary. He’s closing in on a century.
Australia need 69 runs to win.
Australia 127-1 (Head 84, Labuschagne 17), target to win is 205
08:52 , Mike JonesStokes was smashed for 17 runs in his last over and as such Jofra Archer is brought on.
Head works him away for one before Labuschagne guides a short ball over the slips for four!
Labuschagne takes one and Head picks up to assault smoking Archer to the legside boundary.
The over ends with Head smacking Archer into the stands for six!
He’s wasting no time, he wants this game won today.
Australia 111-1 (Head 73, Labuschagne 12), target to win is 205
08:46 , Mike JonesAtkinson has been decent with the ball in this Test but hasn’t got the rewards he probably deserves.
Looking for the edge he goes full but Head latches onto the ball and plays the shot of the day with a glorious drive through cover that brings four.
He gets off strike but five more runs come from it.
Australia 106-1 (Head 68, Labuschagne 12), target to win is 205
08:42 , Mike JonesTravis Head launches into a cover drive and smokes Ben Stokes away for four runs.
It’s successive boundaries too! This time a pull shot flies through midwicket and Head it on his way once more.
Three in a row! Australia are racing towards victory and Head is leading the charge.
The hundred is up for the hosts who are almost halfway to their target.
They’re past it now. Head mullers Stokes to the midwicket boundary for his fourth four in the over before taking a single off the last ball.
Australia need just 99 to win.
Australia 89-1 (Head 51, Labuschagne 12), target to win is 205
08:37 , Mike JonesGus Atkinson is back on.
After the drinks break, Stokes tries to cut down the runs by bringing Atkinson back into the attack.
Labuschagne dinks the ball into the off side and sprints through for a single. Stokes collects the ball and throws for the stumps but Head makes his ground.
Two runs from the over.
Australia 87-1 (Head 50, Labuschagne 11), target to win is 205
08:30 , Mike JonesThe England captain is out of options and must turn to himself to salvage this situation.
Ben Stokes comes on to bowl having taken five wickets in Australia’s first innings.
Labuschagne pushes him away for a single then Head has a wild swipe on a delivery outside off stump. Head has been stuck on 50 for a little bit and wants the scoreboard to get moving again.
Australia 86-1 (Head 50, Labuschagne 10), target to win is 205
08:25 , Mike JonesLabuschagne now gets in on the boundary hitting action.
He leans into a push through midwicket and fizzes the ball away for four.
Labuschagne then rocks onto the back foot and pulls Carse away for three this time. It’s too easy to score for Australia at present.
England can’t stem the runs. 119 runs to win.
Australia 79-1 (Head 50, Labuschagne 3), target to win is 205
08:21 , Mike JonesLabuschagne gets himself off the mark with a clip for two before Wood hits the mark outside off stump.
13 overs gone and Australia need 126 runs to win. England require nine wickets.
Australia 76-1 (Head 50, Labuschagne 0), target to win is 205
08:18 , Mike JonesFifty for Travis Head!
He works Mark Wood into the legside for a single and brings up his half century in just 36 deliveries.
Another hour of his batting and Australia will be 1-0 up in this series.
Australia 75-1 (Head 49, Labuschagne 0), target to win is 205
08:16 , Mike JonesMarnus Labuschagne is the new man in and immediately the ball is starting to talk.
Carse gets the ball to dart away from the right hander and England have a slender opening.
They need to get Travis Head out though or else their chances will fall away rapidly.
Wicket! Australia 75-1 (Weatherald 23)
08:12 , Mike JonesBreakthrough!
It’s a much-needed wicket for England. Carse finds a bit of extra bounce and troubles Weatherald.
He flicks the ball high into the off side and Ben Duckett is there to take the catch.
Australia 75-0 (Head 49, Weatherald 23), target to win is 205
08:11 , Mike JonesThere’s no fear here from either batter. Weatherald punches Carse through midwicket for four more runs.
These two are flying and the target is now just 130 runs away.
Australia 71-0 (Head 49, Weatherald 19), target to win is 205
08:09 , Mike JonesWood continues and Ben Stokes has spread the field for Travis Head.
There are now no slips and Wood will be banging the ball in short.
Both players negotiate the threat and pick up a couple of runs on the way.
Head takes it on and hooks Wood over fielder at deep fine leg for another six!
England are in trouble. Head switches sides and cuts the ball away from four.
Australia 58-0 (Head 38, Weatherald 18), target to win is 205
08:03 , Mike JonesFifty up for Australia!
It’s come in just 10 overs and Head brings it up with a top edged six down to third man.
Head is rattling along at over a run per ball and the required runs are now under 150.
Carse has conceded 22 runs in two overs so far.
Australia 47-0 (Head 29, Weatherald 17), target to win is 205
07:57 , Mike JonesAnother change as Mark Wood is brought on.
He’ll bowl quick but if he can’t take any wickets then England are in real trouble.
Short from Wood and Head cuts him away through extra cover for three runs. He looks very comfortable at the crease here.
These are worrying signs for England.
Weatherald gets in on the action as he guides the ball through the gap between gully and the slips and records four more!
Australia are flying.
Australia 39-0 (Head 26, Weatherald 13), target to win is 205
07:51 , Mike JonesHere comes Brydon Carse.
He replaces Atkinson and, perhaps wisely Weatherald works him away for one.
Head does the opposite and rocks back to help the ball over the slips and over the boundary for six!
Head doesn’t let up and picks the length wonderfully before slapping a shot over point for four more.
If they don’t get Head out soon he will take the match away from them.
Australia 28-0 (Head 16, Weatherald 12), target to win is 205
07:47 , Mike JonesArcher’s first spell won’t last much longer than five overs.
He’s into his fourth and Head works him through the off side for a couple.
Archer goes fuller and Head drives him down the ground. There’s not enough pace on the stroke and it pulls up short of the boundary. Three more runs come though.
Six runs come from Archer’s over. Australia are going well.
Australia 22-0 (Head 11, Weatherald 11), target to win is 205
07:42 , Mike JonesBoth openers look good.
They’re watching the ball closely despite some decent deliveries from Archer and Atkinson.
Weatherald takes the ball from outside the off stump and rolls a pull shot over to the deep square leg boundary.
It doesn’t cross the line but Australia pick up three more runs.
Next up, Head leans into a drive and beats Stokes at mid off, three more for the Aussies.
Australia 16-0 (Head 8, Weatherald 8), target to win is 205
07:38 , Mike JonesEngland think they have their first wicket as Archer nicks off Weatherald.
He’s given out but reviews straight away and the replay shows the ball flicking his back pocket on the way through.
The Australian opener survives.
Australia 15-0 (Head 8, Weatherald 7), target to win is 205
07:37 , Mike JonesJake Weatherald gets off the mark for the innings and for his Test career.
He works Archer into the legside for three runs and the home crowd roars its appreciation for him.
Archer switches up and goes round the wicket. He bangs one in and Head nudges the ball down for one.
Archer probes again and finds the edge!
But, Weatherald picks the gap and collects four more.
Australia 7-0 (Head 7, Weatherald 0), target to win is 205
07:33 , Mike JonesAtkinson goes short and wide to Head who slaps him to the fielder at point.
Head is then squared up as Atkinson directs a ball into the body.
The last ball of the over is overpitched and Head whips it thrillingly into the legside for four!
That’ll settle any nerves.
Australia 3-0 (Head 3, Weatherald 0), target to win is 205
07:29 , Mike JonesHead guides Archer down to third man for a nicely placed single.
Weatherald then looks to pull Archer over to the legside and is struck on the arm.
The England quick begins to ramp up the pace. He’s probing as best he can for the early wicket.
Just the single from the over.
Australia 2-0 (Head 2, Weatherald 0), need 205 runs to win
07:24 , Mike JonesGus Atkinson has the new ball in hand for the second over.
England need wickets and Ben Stokes has brought the field up to surround the batters.
There’s no room for error from the bowlers and Atkinson finds the money straight away.
He starts with a maiden. If Australia play this sensibly they will see out the opening spells before looking to attack.
Evening session: Australia 2-0 (Head 2, Weatherald 0), need 205 runs to win
07:20 , Mike JonesUsman Khawaja isn’t fit to open the batting so Travis Head has been given the nod instead.
He strides out with Jake Weatherald and sets up to face Jofra Archer.
Archer fizzes down four dots with Head getting in line each time. The fifth delivery is right on the money as well but Head leaves it to go wide of the off stump.
The last ball of the over is worked away for two and Australia are away!
Why Jamie Smith was given out in controversial second innings decision
07:17 , Mike JonesJamie Smith’s dismissal in England’s second innings of the first Ashes Test was a controversial moment on another thrilling day of cricket.
England had continued their momentum from day one by quickly dismissing Nathan Lyon and navigating the morning session with a lead of 99 runs.
However, Australia fought back after lunch and a beautiful spell of bowling from Scott Boland, aided by Mitchell Starc, saw the tourists lose four wickets for 11 runs in just 19 deliveries.
Why Jamie Smith was given out in controversial second innings decision
Tea: England 164 all out, lead by 204
07:01 , Mike JonesAustralia have been set 205 runs to win this Test.
England lost nine wickets in the afternoon session and now the match is balanced on a knife edge.
Scott Boland took four wickets and broke the back of England’s top order with Mitchell Starc and Brendan Doggett claiming three each.
Wicket! England 164 all out (Atkinson 37)
06:57 , Mike JonesGus Atkinson looks to smoke another big hit into the stands but only manages to find the man on the boundary.
England have been skittled out in the afternoon session and have set Australia a total of 205 runs to win.
England 164-9 (Atkinson 37, Wood 4)
06:56 , Mike JonesIt’s going to be carnage now. There’ll be very little blocking.
Mark Wood smacks his first ball for four and all these runs will be vital for England’s chances of winning the game.
Wicket! 160-9 (Jofra Archer 5)
06:51 , Mike JonesJofra Archer comes to the middle. Scores one, whacks a four then gets caught in the outfield.
Doggett has three wickets but England’s lead is up to 200.
Wicket! 154-8 (Carse 20)
06:47 , Mike JonesBrendan Doggett has the breakthrough!
Carse moves outside the offside and looks to swipe one to fine leg. He feathers the ball through to Alex Carey and walks off the pitch as Australia appeal.
England are eight down but Carse’s knock has helped them.
England 154-7 (Atkinson 36, Carse 20)
06:46 , Mike JonesWonderful!
Gus Atkinson launches a counter attack for England and deposits Mitchell Starc into the stands, not once but twice!
Two sixes, followed by two twos brings up England’s 150 and takes this partnership to 50.
England lead by 194 and another hour of batting from this pair might just rescue the tourists.
England 138-7 (Atkinson 20, Carse 20)
06:39 , Mike JonesGus Atkinson hooks Doggett away for four runs and the lead goes to 175.
That means Australia would need to score the biggest total of the match in a single innings to win the game.
Atkinson then gets off strike. Carse then plops a pull into the legside and it lands safe whilst bringing another run.
Atkinson adds another run.
England 131-7 (Atkinson 14, Carse 19)
06:34 , Mike JonesStarc to Atkinson.
The England batter swipes the ball through the gap on the offside and collects two more runs. He moves into double figures.
Another back foot punch sees him cut the ball away and this time he calls Carse through for three.
Carse targets that gap as well and crashes the ball through for another boundary. These are vital runs for England.
Starc reverts to short pitched bowling which forces Carse to evade.
This partnership is up to 27 now.
England 122-7 (Atkinson 9, Carse 15)
06:29 , Mike JonesEngland’s hope here is that their lead is already more than Australia managed in the first innings.
However, quite a few of the wickets today have been loose shots and Australia are less likely to be caught off guard for a second time in the match.
It feels as though England need over 200 at the very least.
Scott Boland is brought on and Carse takes the attack to him. He charges down the wicket and whacks him over his head for six!
Two more runs come from the over, eight in total.
England 114-7 (Atkinson 8, Carse 8)
06:24 , Mike JonesFull and straight from Mitchell Starc and Carse manages to get a touch on the ball to save his stumps from being taken out.
Over on TNT Sports commentary, former Australian cricketer Darren Lehmann is saying England have been hard done by by Smith’s dismissal.
He’s citing a similar situation in Australia’s innings which saw Marnus Labuschagne given not out.
England survive another over from Starc with Carse sprinting through for a run off the last ball.
England 112-7 (Atkinson 7, Carse 7)
06:19 , Mike JonesBrydon Carse is off the mark immediately and Atkinson follows up with another run.
England’s lead creeps towards 150. The closer they can get to 200, the better they will feel.
That’ll help!
Carse goes on the hook and a top edge takes the ball over the fine leg boundary for six!
Wicket! England 104-7 (Smith 15)
06:16 , Mike JonesIt takes a long time but Jamie Smith is out!
Brendan Doggett has his first Test match wicket. Smith has been strangled down the legside.
England are staring down the barrel.
England 104-6 (Atkinson 6, Smith 15)
06:14 , Mike JonesJamie Smith could be in trouble. He tries to play a pull shot and misses the ball but Australia hear a nose and appeal as the ball lands in Alex Carey’s gloves.
The initial decision is not out but the hosts review.
There’s a little fluctuation on snicko but that comes after the ball has passed the bat.
The third umpire is taking quite a while to decide this one, England’s chances may rest on the decision...
England 104-6 (Atkinson 6, Smith 15)
06:10 , Mike JonesThere is a genuine chance that this game could be over today. There’s one and a half sessions left to play and England’s tail can be blown away.
England 104-6 (Atkinson 6, Smith 15)
06:08 , Mike JonesHandy! Starc drifts onto the pads of Atkinson who gladly lofts him into the vacant space on the legside and picks up four runs.
Australia have an issue as Usman Khawaja is heading off the pitch. He’s got a back issue and heads off the field.
In the first innings he was off the pitch for a lengthy period meaning he wasn’t allowed to open the batting.
Starc finishes off the over and Atkinson survives.
England 100-6 (Atkinson 2, Smith 15)
06:05 , Mike JonesSmith rocks onto the back foot and swipes at the ball. An edge takes it over the slips and brings four valuable runs.
A bye then takes England to 100 for the innings and leaves Atkinson with four balls from Starc to see out.
England 94-6 (Atkinson 2, Smith 11)
06:00 , Mike JonesGus Atkinson looks all at sea. Despite having a Test match century to his name he is very much a bowler who bats a bit.
A flick off the legs brings him a couple of runs off Doggett’s latest over and England are creeping towards 100 in this innings.
England 92-6 (Atkinson 0, Smith 10)
05:56 , Mike JonesEngland’s plans to win this Test have all fallen by the wayside.
How do they play it from here?
Wicket! England 88-6 (Stokes 2)
05:52 , Mike JonesStarc angles the ball into Stokes, there’s a touch of away movement and the edge is found.
The ball flies to second slip where Steve Smith clings onto the ball.
England are in disarray.
England 88-5 (Stokes 2, Smith 10)
05:51 , Mike JonesJamie Smith works Starc away for a couple and the bowler responds with a wide one as a tempter to drive but Smith doesn’t bite.
A guided block sends the ball past the slips and Smith moves into double figures.
England 85-5 (Stokes 2, Smith 7)
05:49 , Mike JonesBrendan Doggett is back.
He probes outside Stokes’ off stump before dragging down a short ball which Stokes pulls into the legside for one.
Smith picks up a run as well. England need to bat some time here and make the ball softer.
Batting will be easier then but Australia are hitting their lines and lengths.
England's collapse
05:47 , Mike JonesEngland lost four wickets for just 11 runs and dropped from 69-1 to 80-5.
England 83-5 (Stokes 1, Smith 6)
05:44 , Mike JonesThose wickets have changed the momentum of the match. England would have been thinking of a big lead, something near 300, but now that’s dropped massively.
200 will be the first target and anything above that a bonus.
Australia have played themselves back into the game and it’s a big hole England need to dig themselves out of.
Boland is finding movement off cracks in the pitch. Smith is playing and missing at plenty of deliveries.
The Barmy Army are attempting to inspire the two batters at the crease.
England 81-5 (Stokes 1, Smith 5)
05:39 , Mike JonesSmith drills a drive straight back at Starc who sticks out a leg and saves four.
England collect a run though and Stokes is now on strike. He’s been dismissed 10 times by the big Australian and averages just a tick over 19 against him.
Stokes gets off the mark with a flick off his hips. Starc himself seems to be enjoying things. He’s taken 2-16 from seven overs.
England 80-5 (Stokes 0, Smith 4)
05:35 , Mike JonesJamie Smith accummulates three more runs from Boland’s next over and Ben Stokes is watchful.
We’ve seen this guarded nature to Stokes before and he’ll understand the situation that England are in.
Another partnership is needed for the tourists and Smith will be the aggressor.
England 77-5 (Stokes 0, Smith 1)
05:29 , Mike JonesDropped!
Jamie Smith nicks one off Mitchell Starc and the ball just about carries to Usman Khawaja.
It’s a low effort and goes down by the slip fielder.
Smith scrambles through for one.
Wicket! England 76-5 (Joe Root 8)
05:26 , Mike JonesStarc!
The big left-armer pushes the ball across Root who goes for the drive. A thick inside edge veers the ball into the stumps and he has to depart as well.
The bowling change has worked and Australia have swung this game back in their favour!
England 76-4 (Stokes 0, Root 8)
05:24 , Mike JonesThis is the game right here.
Mitchell Starc is brought back into the attack with two new batters at the crease.
England need a partnership with their two most experienced players at the crease.
Wicket! England 76-4 (Brook 0)
05:22 , Mike JonesBoland again!
It’s two in the over for Scott Boland who finds the same length, just short of good, and entices Brook into a drive.
A thick edge takes the ball to Usman Khawaja at first slip and England lose another wicket.
England 76-3 (Brook 0, Root 8)
05:20 , Mike JonesHarry Brook is the new man in.
The only batter to go past fifty in the first two innings. England need him to do a job again here.
Wicket! 76-3 (Pope 33)
05:19 , Mike JonesGone!
Scott Boland has been threatening for his last few overs and now has his man.
Ollie Pope dangles his bat out, the edge is found and Alex Carey takes a fine catch behind the wicket.
England are three down now.
England 75-2 (Pope 33, Root 7)
05:16 , Mike JonesPope whips a full toss away into the leg side and collects another three runs.
The Optus Stadium is big and there’s a lot of running to be done by the batters.
Not so for Joe Root.
He’s quickly onto a shorter ball from Green and pulls him away to the square leg boundary. Root looks in good touch already as he plays the next ball away for one.
England 67-2 (Pope 30, Root 2)
05:11 , Mike JonesJoe Root is the new batter for England. He got a duck in the first innings but is off the mark with his first ball today.
A sweet flick off his pads for a couple. England need to rebuild again here and push their lead as high as possible.
Root himself will want to bed in and get some time at the crease.
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