Who won Australia vs England 1st Ashes Test today? — Match result & turning points
Australia emerged victorious in a blink-and-you-miss Test match at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Saturday, November 22. The home side chased down a 205-run target in just 28.2 overs in the fourth innings
as the match got over inside six sessions.
Earlier on Day 2, England didn't take much time to pick up the last Australian wicket. The hosts finished on 132, conceding a 40-run lead. However, Mitchell Starc struck once again in the first over as Zak Crawley registered a pair. Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope did forge a 65-run stand but both of them couldn't capitalise on their starts.
The England middle order couldn't persevere for too long against the red-hot Australian seamers. Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Ben Stokes aggregated just 10 runs in total. Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse added 50 runs down the order before the Three Lions were bowled out for 164.
Australia promoted Travis Head up the order as he opened with Jake Weatherald. The former played aggressive cricket and got his team off to a blistering start. Weatherald was dismissed in the 12th over after stitching a quickfire 75-run opening stand.
Head slammed 123 off just 83 balls to take Australia on the cusp of victory. He was dismissed by Carse when another 13 runs were needed to win. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith finished proceedings, with the former remaining unbeaten on 51 off 49 balls. With this win, Australia took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Top batting performances of the match — Travis Head
Head batted at No. 5 and scored 21 in the first innings. However, in the second innings, he replaced Labuschagne at the top of the order. The left-handed batter provided great entertainment for the fans in attendance with his breathtaking strokes. Head finished on 123 off 83 balls, belting 16 fours and four sixes.
Best bowling spells — Scott Boland
Scott Boland was abysmal in the first innings, conceding 62 runs in 10 overs. However, he bounced back remarkably well in the second essay, bagging four wickets for 33 runs in 11.4 overs. He accounted for the wickets of Duckett, Pope, Brook, and Atkinson.
Records Broken and Major Milestones Achieved
- This is the first Ashes Test ending inside two days in the last 100 years.
- Australia became the first team to win batting second in six Tests at the Optus Stadium.
- This is the third-shortest Ashes Test in terms of balls (847).
- Travis Head scored the second fastest Ashes Test century, getting to the milestone in just 69 balls.
- This is also the joint-fastest century by an opening batter in all Tests.
- Head scored the fastest ever century in fourth innings chases.
Who was the Player of the Match?
On expected lines, Mitchell Starc was adjudged Player of the Match. He finished with a 10-wicket haul, following his 7/58 in the first innings with figures of 3/55 in the second. The left-arm seamer stood up in the absence of Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.
What is the next match?
The second Test between Australia and England takes place at The Gabba in Brisbane, commencing on December 4.
