The Ashes 2025 1st Test exploded into one of cricket’s all-time classics – a breathless 2-day thriller at Perth Stadium where Australia crushed England by 8 wickets. Travis Head’s sensational 123 off 83 balls turned the game on its head, while Mitchell Starc’s career-best 7-58 set the tone early.
In this complete Ashes 2025 1st Test recap, we break down every wicket, boundary, and record from the madness. From 19 wickets on Day 1 to the fastest successful 200+ chase ever, here’s everything you need – highlights, stats, quotes, and series impact. Let’s relive the drama!
Ashes 2025 1st Test Quick Result Snapshot
Australia dominated the Ashes 2025 1st Test, chasing 205 in a blitz to lead the series 1-0.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Winner | Australia (by 8 wickets) |
| Venue | Perth Stadium |
| Dates | Nov 21-22, 2025 (finished in 2 days) |
| Player of the Match | Mitchell Starc (10-111) |
| Series | Australia 1-0 England |
| Total Balls | 847 (shortest Ashes Test in Australia) |
| Attendance | Day 1: 51,531; Day 2: 49,983 |
Ashes 2025 1st Test Build-Up: Hype and Team News
The Ashes 2025 1st Test carried massive expectations. England’s Bazball side aimed to win in Australia for the first time since 2010-11. Australia, urn holders since 2017, missed Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood – big blows!
England went all-pace: Archer, Wood, Atkinson, Carse, Stokes. No spinner. Australia debuted Brendan Doggett alongside Starc and Boland. Usman Khawaja’s back issues forced openers shuffle.
Over 51,000 packed Perth on Day 1 – Barmy Army vs Aussie fans roaring. England won toss and batted on a green pitch. Chaos followed!
Ashes 2025 1st Test Day 1: 19 Wickets in Wild Pace Battle
The Ashes 2025 1st Test Day 1 saw 19 wickets – most on an Ashes opener in 100 years. Pure seam dominance!
Morning Session: Starc Destroys England Top Order
Starc struck immediately in the Ashes 2025 1st Test. Crawley edged last ball of first over – duck! Duckett drove beautifully (21), but lbw to Starc. Root nicked a gem for 0 – Starc’s 100th Ashes wicket.
England 39-3. Pope (46) and Brook (52) counter-attacked – only 50+ stand. Green trapped Pope lbw pre-lunch.
| Ashes 2025 1st Test Morning Stats | Value |
|---|---|
| England Score | 105-4 |
| Top Batter | Pope 46 |
| Best Bowler | Starc 3-25 |
Afternoon Session: Brook Fights, Starc Completes 7-For
Brook smashed six off Boland post-lunch. Stokes bowled through gate. Smith (33) joined Brook – quick runs. But Doggett’s short ball gloved by Brook – debut wicket!
Starc returned for magic: Atkinson caught slip, Carse edged, Smith holed out, Wood to keeper. England 172 all out – shortest completed Ashes innings in Australia (197 balls).
Starc’s 7-58: career-best, best at Perth Stadium.
| England 1st Innings Full (Ashes 2025 1st Test) | Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crawley | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | |
| Duckett | 21 | 20 | 4 | 0 | |
| Pope | 46 | 58 | 4 | 0 | |
| Root | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | |
| Brook | 52 | 61 | 5 | 1 | |
| Stokes | 6 | 12 | 0 | 0 | |
| Smith (wk) | 33 | 22 | 6 | 0 | |
| Atkinson | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Carse | 6 | 9 | 1 | 0 | |
| Archer | 0* | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Wood | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 172 | 32.5 ov |
Evening Session: England’s Seamers Strike Back – Stokes Magic
Khawaja off-field, so Weatherald debuted opening. Archer’s second ball – lbw duck! Australia 0-1.
Smith hit on body by Archer. Labuschagne survived appeals. But Carse got Smith (17) and Khawaja (2). 31-4!
Head-Green added 45, but Stokes unleashed: 5-23 in 6 overs! Head pull mistimed, Green nicked, Carey upper-cut, Starc holed, Boland edged. Australia 123-9 at stumps – 49 behind.
| Australia 1st Innings (Ashes 2025 1st Test) | Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weatherald | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Labuschagne | 9 | 41 | 1 | 0 | |
| Smith (c) | 17 | 49 | 2 | 0 | |
| Khawaja | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | |
| Head | 21 | 35 | 1 | 0 | |
| Green | 24 | 50 | 2 | 0 | |
| Carey | 26 | 26 | 3 | 0 | |
| Starc | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | |
| Lyon | 4 | 21 | 0 | 0 | |
| Boland | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Doggett | 7* | 30 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 132 | 45.2 ov |
Australia Vs England, 1st Ashes Test, Day 1: Ben Stokes Leads …
Ashes 2025 1st Test Day 2: Collapse to Head’s Heroics
The Ashes 2025 1st Test flipped again on Day 2.
Morning: Carse nicked Lyon – Australia 132 all out. England lead 40.
Crawley pair (Starc catch off own bowling). Duckett-Pope 65 stand. Then Boland burst: 4 wickets quick – England 76-5!
Atkinson (37) and Carse (20) late sixes – England 164. Target 205.
Chase: Khawaja out again – Head opened! 75 with Weatherald, then 117 with Labuschagne (51*). Head’s 69-ball ton – four off Stokes over!
Australia 205-2 – win in 28.2 overs, 7.23 rpo!
| Australia 2nd Innings Chase (Ashes 2025 1st Test) | Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head | 123 | 83 | 16 | 4 | |
| Weatherald | 23 | 34 | 3 | 0 | |
| Labuschagne | 51* | 49 | 6 | 1 | |
| Smith | 2* | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 205-2 | 28.2 ov |
Ashes 2025 1st Test Top Performers
| Player | Stats | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Starc | 10-111 | 7-58 spell without leaders |
| Head | 123 (83) | 69-ball ton in chase |
| Stokes | 5-23 | Turned Day 1 |
| Boland | 4-33 | Triggered collapse |
| Doggett | 5-78 debut | Brook wicket |
Ashes 2025 1st Test Records Broken
| Record | Detail |
|---|---|
| Shortest Ashes in Aus (balls) | 847 |
| First 2-day Ashes since 1921 | Yes |
| Most Day 1 wickets (100 yrs) | 19 |
| Fastest 200+ chase rpo | 7.23 |
| Head fastest chase ton | 69 balls |
This Test rewrote books – shortest by balls in Aus (847), first 2-day Ashes in 104 years. Here’s the full list in a handy table.
| Record | Detail | Previous/Note |
|---|---|---|
| Shortest Ashes Test (balls, Aus soil) | 847 | 911 (SCG 1894-95) |
| First 2-day Ashes since | 1921 (Trent Bridge) | Only 6th ever |
| Most Day 1 wickets in 100 yrs Ashes | 19 | 17 (Trent Bridge 2001) |
| Fastest 200+ chase run rate (Tests) | 7.23 rpo | 5.98 (Eng vs NZ 2022) |
| Fastest 100 in winning 200+ chase | 69 balls (Head) | 76 (Jessop 1902) |
| 2nd-fastest Ashes 100 | 69 balls | 57 (Gilchrist 2006) |
| Joint-3rd fastest Aus Test 100 (opener) | 69 balls | Warner 69 (2012) |
| Starc best Test figures | 7-58 | His prev 6-9 (WI 2025) |
| Best figures at Perth Stadium | 7-58 | Shami 6-56 (2018) |
| Starc 100+ Ashes wickets (left-armer first) | 104 | McGrath quickest overall |
| Zero opening stands in first 3 inns (Ashes first) | Crawley/Weatherald pairs | – |
| Crawley Ashes king pair | First since Atherton 1998 | – |
| Boland fastest to 50 home Test wkts (balls) | 1639 | Philander 1383 (SA) |
| Stokes quickest 5-fer (3rd change+, balls) | 36 | Pandya 29 (2018) |
| Dual 5-fers on Day 1 (since 1950, 4th instance) | Starc 7 & Stokes 5 | Harmison/McGrath 2005 |
| England shortest 1st inns vs Aus (balls) | 197 | 143 (Sydney 1887) |
| Most Perth Stadium Day 1 wkts | 19 | 17 (vs Ind 2024) |
| Head highest 4th-inns opener 100 (21st c Ashes) | 123 | Cook/Rogers 116 |
| Starc 2nd 7-fer home Ashes 21st c | Yes | Johnson 7-40 (2013) |
| England 9 straight Perth defeats | Now 9 | 8 at WACA (1990-2018) |
These aren’t just numbers – they’re why fans call it “the greatest opener ever.” Head’s ton? Only the 4th 200+ chase after sub-200 inns all round.
Ashes 2025 1st Test Tactical Takeaways
Perth’s pitch? Bouncy beast – 39 seam wickets, no spin needed. England’s all-pace gamble paid Day 1 (141kph avg speed, fastest since 2006), but Day 2 exposed Bazball flaws.
Bazball’s Perth Peril
England scored 5+ rpo both digs – bold! But top-order drives at bouncers? Four of top-six nicked behind. As ABC noted, “reckless on spice.” Brook/Pope resisted Day 1; Day 2 collapse (9-99) screamed adaptation fail. Stokes post-match: “We went away from bravery – Head showed how it’s done.”
Australia’s Depth Shines
No Cummins/Hazlewood? No drama. Starc led (10-for, first Aus pacer since McDermott 1991), Boland redeemed (4-33 after 0-62), Doggett debuted with 5. “We bowled well in helter-skelter,” Starc said.
Head as opener? Makehift gold. His aggression (short-arm jabs, ramps) manipulated fields – off-side blocks? He went straight/leg. Telegraph called it “Bazball better than Bazball.”
Turning points table:
| Turning Point | Moment | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Starc’s 1st over | Crawley out | Set tone for ENG collapse |
| Stokes’ spell | 5-23 in 6 overs | AUS 31-4 to 123-9 |
| Boland’s burst | 4 wkts in 19 balls | ENG 65-1 to 76-5 |
| Head’s promo | 123 off 83 | Chase from tricky to cruise |
WinViz? England 75% favorites at lunch Day 2 – Australia flipped to 100% by tea. Guardian’s tactical take.
Ashes 2025 1st Test Quotes
Ashes 2025 1st Test The dressing rooms buzzed – here’s the raw emotion.
Steve Smith (Aus Captain): “Wowza… Head’s knock? Right up there with anything I’ve seen. We ummed about openers – Trav said ‘I’ll do it.’ Go for your life! Marnus brilliant too.”
Mitchell Starc (PotM): “Trav’s 123? Can’t believe it. I was calm without Pat/Josh – role same for 15 years. Bowled like a genius? Thanks, but team effort.”
Travis Head: “Emotions high – not processed yet. Two years brewing opener idea. Felt right with Marnus/Smudge behind. Crowd ovation? Lucky. Celebrate, then family time.”
Ben Stokes (Eng Captain): “Shell shock? Yeah. Head phenomenal – we lacked application. Brave batters won; we drifted. Four games left – move on for Brisbane.”
Brydon Carse (Eng): “Stokesy’s phenomenal – beast mode! Nervous debut, but soaked it up. Tomorrow? Knock last wick, then bat positive.”
Scott Boland (Aus): “Starc unbelievable – 7 without leaders? Incredible. Doggett outstanding debut. Proud – 1-0 up!”
More on X: “Head directs his own scripts!” – @beastieboy07.
(External link: Full pressers on BBC Sport.)
Ashes 2025 1st Test Full Scorecards
| England 1st Innings Full Scorecard | Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zak Crawley | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | c Khawaja b Starc | |
| Ben Duckett | 21 | 20 | 4 | 0 | lbw b Starc | |
| Ollie Pope | 46 | 58 | 4 | 0 | lbw b Green | |
| Joe Root | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | c Labuschagne b Starc | |
| Harry Brook | 52 | 61 | 5 | 1 | c Carey b Doggett | |
| Ben Stokes (c) | 6 | 12 | 0 | 0 | b Starc | |
| Jamie Smith (wk) | 33 | 22 | 6 | 0 | c Green b Starc | |
| Gus Atkinson | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | c Smith b Starc | |
| Brydon Carse | 6 | 9 | 1 | 0 | c Labuschagne b Doggett | |
| Jofra Archer | 0* | 1 | 0 | 0 | not out | |
| Mark Wood | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | c Carey b Starc | |
| Extras | 7 | – | – | – | (lb 5, nb 2) | |
| Total | 172 | (32.5 overs) | – | – | All out |
| Bowling Figures – Australia | Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Starc | 12.5 | 4 | 58 | 7 | 4.50 | |
| Scott Boland | 10 | 0 | 62 | 0 | 6.20 | |
| Brendan Doggett | 7 | 1 | 27 | 2 | 3.90 | |
| Nathan Lyon | 2 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 5.00 | |
| Cameron Green | 1 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 10.00 |
X lit up: “Starc’s 7-fer without Cummins/Hazlewood? Man-mountain mode!” – @beastieboy07.
| Australia 1st Innings Scorecard | Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Weatherald | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | lbw b Archer | |
| Marnus Labuschagne | 9 | 41 | 1 | 0 | b Archer | |
| Steve Smith (c) | 17 | 49 | 2 | 0 | c Brook b Carse | |
| Usman Khawaja | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | c Smith b Carse | |
| Travis Head | 21 | 35 | 1 | 0 | c Stokes b Carse | |
| Cameron Green | 24 | 50 | 2 | 0 | c Smith b Stokes | |
| Alex Carey (wk) | 26 | 26 | 3 | 0 | c Carse b Stokes | |
| Mitchell Starc | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | c Carse b Stokes | |
| Nathan Lyon | 4 | 21 | 0 | 0 | c Duckett b Carse | |
| Scott Boland | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | c Brook b Stokes | |
| Brendan Doggett | 7* | 30 | 0 | 0 | not out | |
| Extras | 10 | – | – | – | (lb 8, nb 2) | |
| Total | 132 | (45.2 overs) | – | – | All out |
| Bowling Figures – England | Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jofra Archer | 9 | 4 | 11 | 2 | 1.20 | |
| Gus Atkinson | 12 | 5 | 24 | 0 | 2.00 | |
| Mark Wood | 8 | 1 | 21 | 0 | 2.60 | |
| Brydon Carse | 10.2 | 1 | 45 | 3 | 4.40 | |
| Ben Stokes (c) | 6 | 1 | 23 | 5 | 3.80 |
As stumps fell, Brydon Carse told BBC: “Stokesy’s in beast mode – his resilience is everything.” England led, but Perth whispered “wait for Day 2.”
| England 2nd Innings Scorecard | Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zak Crawley | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | c&b Starc | |
| Ben Duckett | 28 | 40 | 3 | 0 | c Smith b Boland | |
| Ollie Pope | 33 | 57 | 2 | 0 | c Carey b Boland | |
| Joe Root | 8 | 11 | 1 | 0 | b Starc | |
| Harry Brook | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | c Khawaja b Boland | |
| Ben Stokes (c) | 2 | 11 | 0 | 0 | c Smith b Starc | |
| Jamie Smith (wk) | 15 | 25 | 1 | 0 | c Carey b Doggett | |
| Gus Atkinson | 37 | 32 | 2 | 2 | c Doggett b Boland | |
| Brydon Carse | 20 | 20 | 1 | 2 | c Carey b Doggett | |
| Jofra Archer | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | c Smith b Doggett | |
| Mark Wood | 4* | 1 | 1 | 0 | not out | |
| Extras | 12 | – | – | – | (b1, lb11) | |
| Total | 164 | (34.4 overs) | – | – | All out |
| Bowling – Australia | Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Starc | 12 | 1 | 55 | 3 | 4.60 | |
| Scott Boland | 11.4 | 2 | 33 | 4 | 2.80 | |
| Brendan Doggett | 9 | 0 | 51 | 3 | 5.70 | |
| Cameron Green | 2 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 6.50 |
| Australia 2nd Innings Scorecard | Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travis Head | 123 | 83 | 16 | 4 | c Pope b Carse | |
| Jake Weatherald | 23 | 34 | 3 | 0 | c Duckett b Carse | |
| Marnus Labuschagne | 51* | 49 | 6 | 1 | not out | |
| Steve Smith (c) | 2* | 4 | 0 | 0 | not out | |
| Extras | 6 | – | – | – | (b1, lb1, w4) | |
| Total | 205-2 | (28.2 overs) | – | – | Won by 8 wkts |
| Bowling – England | Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jofra Archer | 8 | 0 | 45 | 0 | 5.60 | |
| Gus Atkinson | 9 | 1 | 61 | 0 | 6.80 | |
| Brydon Carse | 5.2 | 0 | 44 | 2 | 8.20 | |
| Mark Wood | 3 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 7.70 | |
| Ben Stokes | 2 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 9.00 | |
| Joe Root | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 12.00 |
Conclusion: Ashes 2025 1st Test Classic
The Ashes 2025 1st Test is already legendary. Australia lead 1-0 – Brisbane next!
What a ride! From Starc’s demolition to Head’s destruction, this 2-day thriller redefined Ashes intensity. Australia’s grit + flair = 1-0 perfection. England? Hurt, but their fire’s not out.
Brisbane next (Dec 5-9, pink-ball under lights). Gabba fortress – Australia unbeaten there since 1996. Cummins return? Game-changer. Expect Bazball 2.0.
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Ashes 2025-26: Ultimate Preview Guide
Thanks for reading – catch you for Test 2!
FAQs: Ashes 2025 1st Test
- Who won the Australia vs England 1st Test in Ashes 2025-26? Australia crushed England by 8 wickets in just 2 days at Perth Stadium. Travis Head’s blistering 123 off 83 balls sealed the fastest successful 200+ run chase in Test history.
- How many days did the Perth Ashes 2025 Test last? Only 2 days (21–22 November 2025) – the first Ashes Test to finish inside two days since 1921 and the shortest ever (by balls bowled) on Australian soil (847 balls).
- What was Travis Head’s score in the Ashes 2025 1st Test? Travis Head smashed 123 off just 83 balls (16 fours, 4 sixes) while opening the batting – a 69-ball century, the fastest ever in a winning 200+ fourth-innings chase in Test cricket.
- Did Mitchell Starc take 10 wickets in Perth Ashes 2025? Yes! Starc took career-best 7-58 in the first innings and 3-55 in the second for match figures of 10-111 – the first Australian fast bowler with a 10-for in an Ashes Test since Glenn McDermott in 1991.
- Was the 2025 Perth Test the shortest Ashes match in Australia? Yes – 847 balls is the fewest ever in an Ashes Test on Australian soil, beating the previous record of 911 balls (Sydney 1894-95).
- How many wickets fell on Day 1 of Ashes 2025 1st Test? An incredible 19 wickets – the most on the opening day of an Ashes Test in the last 100 years. England were bowled out for 172, Australia slumped to 123-9 at stumps.
- Did Zak Crawley get a king pair in the Ashes 2025 Perth Test? Yes – Crawley was out for 0 in both innings (first-ball duck 1st inns, caught-and-bowled 2nd inns), the first English batsman to suffer a king pair in an Ashes Test since Michael Atherton in 1998.
- What is the fastest century in a successful 200+ Test chase? Ashes 2025 1st TestmTravis Head’s 69-ball hundred against England in Perth 2025 now holds the record, beating RE Foster’s 76-ball ton (1903) and Vivian Richards’ 82-ball ton (1984).
- Will Pat Cummins play the 2nd Ashes Test in Brisbane 2025? Cummins missed the Perth Test with a minor side strain but is “50-50” to return for the day-night Gabba Test starting 5 December 2025. Australia expect him to be fit.
- When and where is the 2nd Ashes Test 2025-26? The 2nd Test is the pink-ball day-night match at the Gabba, Brisbane from 5–9 December 2025. Australia lead the series 1-0 after the Perth thrashing.
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