After a generous build‑up, the first Ashes Test between Australia and England at Perth saw momentum shifts, fireworks with both bat and ball, a Travis Head classic, and it all ended in just two days with the hosts consolidating their position at the top of the latest ICC World Test Championship points table.
Australia’s eight‑wicket win not only helps them seize an early advantage in the five‑match series but also keeps them on pace for another appearance in the WTC Final in 2027.
The hosts started the match by bundling Ben Stokes’ team for just 172 but were bowled out for 132 in return, giving the Englishmen an opening. However, Scott Boland and the ever‑reliable Mitchell Starc pulled things back, dismissing England in the second innings for 164 to set up a 205‑run chase.
Travis Head’s blistering innings with the bat meant Australia needed just 34.4 overs to get home and take the lead.
Australia’s win keeps them firmly ahead of the chasing pack in the WTC standings with four wins out of four, while England slips down the list after another humbling loss. For Pakistan, Australia’s win is also significant as it keeps the door open for that second place, which seems to be Pakistan’s only hope of playing a WTC Final at this point.
Latest ICC World Test Championship Points Table
| Rank | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Deductions | Points | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 100.00 |
| 2 | South Africa | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 66.67 |
| 3 | Sri Lanka | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 66.67 |
| 4 | India | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 54.17 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 50.00 |
| 6 | England | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 26 | 36.11 |
| 7 | Bangladesh | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 16.67 |
| 8 | West Indies | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| 9 | New Zealand | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
Australia are flying early in the WTC race. England have work to do. For Pakistan and other nations, the window is open—but shrinking fast. The Ashes series has set the tone, and the rest of the Test world cannot afford to sleep on it.
