Whoa! That was fast! Our first reaction following the unexpected end of the 2025/26 opening Australian Test summer just inside two full days.
Yes, one winning team will always accept that as an advantage with four big time contests to go while the other will have a lot of drawing board analysis to do.
Sure there will be huge debate about the current state of the five-day game (sometimes four-day matches in recent years) when it comes to red-ball cricket amongst die-hard and casual sports fans including traditionalists alike over the next coming days.
In the meantime, why not check out for more Sports Benches content?
We have the latest General Hospital soap opera weekly recap edition from yesterday headlined by the unexpected murder of Prof. Henry Dalton. What it will mean for the Rocco currently facing juvenile prison time? Including his sister Charlotte Cassadine and best friend Danny Morgan? Both of whom still wish to turn themselves in to the PCPD following their recent break-in at Dalton’s PCU lab.
There’s also sports weekly recaps from the weekend and sometimes mid-week that’s currently on off-season mode right now until February 2026 where multiple sports like NASCAR, Football & Netball come together all in the one place.
But the good news is that we just getting started with the summer of sports content ourselves with Test Cricket first followed by the Australian Open Tennis in January.
We are delighted to say that we will hand over to Shenol M. Wilson now with the 1st Ashes Test match report.
Head-Starc counter attack triumph over Bazball’s England side at Optus in just two days
Incredible 2025 Ashes series exploded and bursted into life with a result few could have predicted and expected, as Australia delivered a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over England inside just two days at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
In what has been the fastest Ashes Test since the year 1921, the match was a chaotic, high-octane affair defined by astonishing bowling spells, dramatic batting collapses, and a final, brutal counter-attack that effectively weaponized and used England’s own ‘Bazball’ philosophy against them to counter attack.
The foundation for Australia’s triumph was laid by their pace battery, brilliantly led by Mitchell Starc, who was rightly named Player of the Match for his exceptional 10-wicket haul (7/58 and 3/51).
Stepping up in the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood, Starc was relentless, using the pace and bounce of the Perth pitch to devastating effect to make it count. His first-innings career-best figures were instrumental in bowling England out for 172 which was never expected considering the form of Joe Root and Harry Brook.
The decisive bowling moment, however, came in England’s second innings. After building a fragile but promising lead of 105 at 65/1, the English middle-order imploded in a staggering collapse, losing five wickets for just 23 runs where three Batsmen including modern Legend Joe Root were dismissed in the same manner being bowled by trying to drive the ball through the off side.
Scott Boland, who was able to get 4 wickets for 33 as the chief destroyer, combining with Starc to rip through key batters like Duckett, Pope, Root, and Stokes in a stunning 40 minute spell. This collapse saw England bundled out for just 164, setting Australia a chase of 205.
While the bowlers created the opportunity, it was the explosive batting of Travis Head that sealed the victory with historical flair same as what he did in 2023 ODI World Cup final at Ahmedabad. Promoted to open in place of the injured Usman Khawaja, Head unleashed an innings of pure aggression and calculated risk, hitting a breathtaking 69-ball century which was the second-fastest in Ashes history.
Head’s 123 runs off 83 balls was a masterclass in ‘Trav-Ball‘, treating the 205 run chase like a T20 match.
His approach fundamentally dismantled England’s all pace attack without Bashir, who failed to replicate the discipline or movement that brought them success in the first innings, where captain Ben Stokes also claimed a five-wicket haul.
Head’s rapid and furious assault, which was supported by an unbeaten Marnus Labuschagne (51 runs*), ensured the target was chased down in a mere 28.2 overs, securing the win by eight wickets.
Post-Match Notes from both teams: Australia and England
For England, the defeat is a massive psychological blow harming their Ego. While their ‘Bazball’ intent was visible, especially in the first innings efforts of Harry Brook and Ollie Pope, the recurring theme of soft dismissals and catastrophic collapses under pressure remains a deep and thorough issue.
Their all-out pace attack selection also appeared questionable when the pitch offered little lateral movement on the second afternoon and could have assisted a proper Spinner.
Australia, despite injury concerns and resting key bowlers, demonstrated their unparalleled and ever reliable ability to seize momentum on key moments.
They move to Brisbane for the second Day-Night Test with a commanding and much needed 1-0 lead, leaving Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum with much to consider about their tactics, temperament, and team selection which they have been stuck with for a while.
The pressure is firmly on England to prove their attacking style can thrive under the relentless scrutiny and power of an Australian summer.
We will wait and watch what second test has to unfold for us in nearly two weeks time (4-8 December, 2025) at The Gabba.
