Travis Head Scores a Historic Hundred in First Ashes Test

Travis Head delivered a brutal reminder of his match-winning ability in Perth, smashing a rapid century that has pushed Australia to the doorstep of victory in the first Ashes Test of the 2025/26 series.

Batting in the middle order as his side chased 205 on a surface where no batter had scored more than 52 in three innings, Head led the charge with a stunning 100 completed off just 69 balls. His shot-making turned a traditionally tense fourth-innings chase into a one-sided sprint.

England had begun the day with hope. They bowled Australia out for 132 in the first innings, giving themselves a lead of 40 runs. But their batting collapsed again. Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc ripped through the top order, and England folded for 164. That left Australia with a target that looked defendable given the surface, only for Head to reaffirm his Ashes pedigree in style.

The left-hander came out with intent, driving and pulling with total control. His fifty came in no time, and even as a partner fell cheaply, the run rate never dipped. Marnus Labuschagne settled in at the other end while Head continued to attack every loose ball. England’s bowlers had no answers. Archer tried short, Atkinson went fuller, Wood pushed the pace, and Stokes rotated the field, but nothing slowed Head down.

His century is now the second-fastest hundred ever scored in Ashes history and fifth fastest for Australia overall.

Fastest Test Hundreds for Australia:

Fastest Ashes Hundreds All Time:

At the time of writing, Australia needed just 37 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the all-important series, all thanks to Travis Head.