How do England recover from this demoralizing defeat? While they will face deserved criticism for being too one-dimensional with the bat, suggesting the lack of preparation is the answer misses the point. The brutal truth is that Australia, through players like Travis Head, who picked his moments perfectly, executed 'Bazball' better than the inventors themselves. And with Australia's bowling heavyweights set to return ahead in the series, the pressure will be rightly on the visitors. Okay then, Australia go 1-0 up in The Ashes 2025/26 and now, both teams will head to Brisbane for the second Test. It will be a Pink Ball Test, and historically, Australia have won 12 out of the 13 Day-Night Tests played on home soil. The one that they lost was against West Indies, at the Gabba. It will be interesting to see how England will bounce back in that game. It will be played on Thursday, 4th December, with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 4 am GMT. Until then, you can switch tabs and enjoy the live coverage of the second Test between India and South Africa in Guwahati. But from this matchcenter, we sign off, only to meet again. Stay safe. Cheers!

The victorious captain of Australia, Steve Smith, begins by stating that it was an incredible day and provided a good start for Australia in The Ashes. He praises Travis Head’s innings as out of the world. He reveals a key tactical decision made during the Tea break. Shares that Head said that he wanted to open and the team allowed him to do. Smith also shares that the pitch was almost at its best for bowling, and Head played very smartly, finding the gaps and toying with the bowling attack. He adds that Marnus Labuschagne also batted really well. Shifting to the bowling, Smith calls Starc's seven-wicket haul in the first innings unbelievable. He compliments the entire attack, specifically mentioning Scott Boland's brilliant bowling performance in the second innings, also noting that Brendan Doggett got Brook out in the first innings when he was playing nicely. On Starc, he further adds that with two of the Big 3 out, he massively stepped up as the senior pro. Highlights that even in the first innings, he was simply brilliant with the ball wobbling around. Appreciates everyone for backing him up nicely. Notes that chasing 200, you want to settle the nerves early and that partnership between Weatherald and Head did exactly that. Hopes that Cummins is available for the second Test, as he is an absolute weapon with the ball and arguably the best bowler in the world. Smith concludes by saying that the team has a couple of weeks to assess the next steps for the Pink Ball Test.

England captain Ben Stokes walks to chat and reflects on the defeat. Stokes says that he is a bit shell-shocked but praises Head and calls his hundred as a phenomenal one. Adds that guys who tried to take on the bowlers got success on this wicket. Says that Head got the wind out of them, and they tried three or four different plans, but nothing worked. Mentions that the way they bowled yesterday was exceptional, a lot happened on Day 1, and it was good for the bowlers. Says that it is a tough loss as they thought they were in control. Ends by saying that they have a good break before Brisbane and will look to come back stronger.

Australia's Mitchell Starc is adjudged as the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his 10-fer in the match. He took a 7-wicket haul in the first innings, and backed it up by taking 3 wickets in the second innings. He cannot hide his smile and appreciates the way Travis Head took the game away from England and came up trumps. Says this was a helter-skelter in the two days. Expresses his joy as he appreciates Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett. Shares that he was pretty calm the whole week coming into this game and that this was the first time he didn't have Cummins and Hazlewood to partner him. But appreciates the way Boland has been for the side as well. He says that he was the old head in the group but didn't change his role at all and that it's been the same for nearly 15 years. 

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Needing 205 runs at a venue where chases historically died, Australia found an unlikely blessing in disguise. An injured Khawaja meant Travis Head opened the innings. Head just tore the heart out of the English attack mercilessly. While Jake Weatherald's bright start was cut short by Carse, Head simply didn't flinch, taking the sting clean out of the bowling. His breezy fifty kicked off an absolute carnage that left the Bazballers shellshocked. Head walked past records and straight into history, delivering a knock so dominant it felt less like a live match and more like watching a highlight reel on repeat. He was ably supported by Marnus Labuschagne, who himself was in desperate need of runs and capped it off with a stylish fifty of his own.

As quiet as the first session was, the afternoon was equally feverish. With Pope and Duckett settled nicely, England were on course for a big lead. But then came the big three drives off similar lengths. Pope, Root, and Brook - all gone within the blink of an eye, playing loose shots. Boland was the instigator of that collapse, with Starc chipping in as well. England lost 5 for 23, slipping from 65/1 to 88/6.  After the controversial and highly debated dismissal of Jamie Smith sparked uproar, England's lower order launched a courageous counterattack. Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse showed remarkable defiance, forging a breezy, game-changing 50-plus partnership that wrestled the momentum back and rescued England from the brink. But the resistance ended as Boland and Doggett wrapped up the tail.  

Coming into the second day, the morning skirmish saw Australia's tailenders, Doggett and Lyon, hang tough for 30 minutes before finally conceding a 40-run lead to England. The pitch was immediately alive under cloudy skies, with the ball swinging just enough for Mitchell Starc to do what he does best. He produced a brilliant return catch to take out Zak Crawley in his first over, extending his run as the Test match executioner. Yet, beyond that initial jolt, Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope dug in with newfound discipline, weathering the swing to nudge the lead to a commanding 99 runs by Lunch.

A two-dayer is what it was. The first day was a pretty hectic one for the batters, because the bowlers were dictating terms and conditions. No doubt there was enough pace and bounce in the wicket, like a typical Perth track. But the recurring theme was questionable shot selections from both camps. England was bundled up from 160/5 to 172 all out, all thanks to Mitchell Starc's sensational spell of 7/58 - his best figures in Test cricket. Brendan Doggett had a memorable debut with a couple of wickets as well. The only bright sparks for England were Harry Brook's fifty and Ollie Pope's 46, but none of the others really extended their starts. When Australia came to bat, a similar theme followed. The top order was blown away by Archer and Carse's searing pace, but the real dent was caused by Ben Stokes' five-for, which reduced Australia to 123/9 at the end of the first day's play. Only three Aussie batters got to their 20s and gave it away.  

And here's the man of the moment, Travis Head, who is up for a chat with Isa Guha. Head says that it is seriously unbelievable. Adds that he hasn't processed yet what he has done out there. Mentions that it has been a hard two days, and calls England a serious outfit. Tells that Starc led them yesterday and they couldn't let his work go to waste. Says that it was the call of the coach and captain to send him to open and he was very keen to do it as well. Further adds that he could have easily got out in the first over, but it was the right process. Says that he has got out on 90s on a couple of occasions here and it was nice to get the hundred as this is a great place to bat. Mentions that he is not great at taking applause and tries to get out of the ground as quickly as possible but it was nice to see the crowd's appreciation. Ends by saying that it is a great start, they will celebrate but is also looking forward to Brisbane.

Dominance would be an understatement to describe this memorable chase from Australia, graced with Travis Head's historical centurion knock. One for the ages, truly. This is not just a win, it's a statement from the hosts as they have snatched it out of the hands of England. With the way the batters struggled on the opening day, it seemed like 205 is not that bad a target. But all the analysis and predictions of the cricketing pundits and experts were put to bed, once the bloke named Travis Head came out to open for Australia. This is the FIRST-EVER time that a target has been successfully chased at the Optus Stadium of Perth. 2 days is what it all took to get the result out of this first Ashes Test of this summer. Insane stuff.

The white flag falls from Stokes, it seems. Joe Root is brought into the attack now.

The Aussie skipper, Steve Smith, makes his way to the crease at number 4.