Travis Head stops Steve Smith, warns him as soon as he suggests that Perth pitch was easy

Australia batter Travis Head played a match-winning century on a challenging surface against England during the Ashes 2025-26 opener at the Optus Stadium in Perth. However, stand-in captain Steve Smith said that the conditions had become easier to bat on later in the day, prompting a reaction from Head.

Travis Head scored 123 from 83 balls to help Australia chase down the 205-run target in Perth on Saturday, November 22. He opened in place of the injured Usman Khawaja and smashed the fastest ever century in a fourth innings. The home team sealed victory inside two days, completing the chase in just 28.2 overs.

The Wicket Kind of Gets Better at the End of Day 2 - Steve Smith

Travis Head’s destructive knock wasn’t the only entertainment Australia provided in Perth. After smashing England’s attack, Head carried the same energy into the post-match press conference, repeatedly interrupting Steve Smith and leaving the media room in laughter.

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A reporter asked Smith whether Head’s knock was among the great Ashes innings. Head jumped in before his captain could answer, joking, “No, it’s not. Not even close,” which instantly had Smith and the journalists in splits.

Smith later mentioned that batting became easier late on Day 2. Head interrupted again with a cheeky smile. Smith quickly responded with, “You played well, mate.”

"The wicket kind of gets better at the end of Day 2. It was probably at its best for the game this late this evening," Smith said on questions regarding the surface.

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Travis Head’s Record-Breaking Onslaught Guides Australia to Win

Travis Head started cautiously, scoring just 3 runs from his first 14 balls. He scored 97 runs off his next 55 deliveries. The left-handed batter reached his century in only 69 balls, the fastest fourth-innings hundred in Test history.

He smashed 16 fours and 4 sixes against the England attack, including Jofra Archer. England managed only 164 runs in their second innings on a surface where 19 wickets had fallen on Day 1, and they had no answers as Head turned the contest into a one-sided affair.

Head was eventually dismissed for 123 off 83 balls with Australia just 13 runs away from victory. Marnus Labuschagne remained unbeaten on 51 from 49 deliveries before Steven Smith completed the chase. Australia hunted down 205 in only 28.2 overs, securing the win inside two days.

Australia Take 1-0 Ashes Lead After Travis Head’s Masterclass in Perth

Australia’s bowlers had set the tone earlier in the match. Mitchell Starc bagged the first 10-wicket haul by an Australian in the Ashes in 34 years. Scott Boland took four wickets, while debutant Brendan Doggett claimed five wickets across both innings.

England were in control during their second innings, stretching the lead to 95 with Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope at the crease. However, they lost nine wickets for just 105 runs, including a dramatic collapse from 76 for 2 to 76 for 5 within five balls.

Gus Atkinson (37) helped England finish on 164, leaving Australia a target of 205. Australia completed the chase with ease, sealing a 1-0 lead in the Ashes. Both teams now shift focus to the pink-ball Test in Brisbane, starting December 4.

Also read: Australia DENTED! Josh Hazlewood ruled out of entire Ashes 2025-26 vs England