Australia vs England, 1st Test at Perth, The Ashes, Nov 21 2025 - Ball by Ball Commentary

6.10pm: Fair dinkum, Trav dunked 'em. What an innings, what a way to start the series. England were in the box seat, 105 runs ahead with nine wickets standing, and then whoomph... Another day of two halves, and it's Australia who take the spoils in round one. If England can muster a response (something they have struggled with historically in Australia), this could be one heck of an Ashes. If not, then it'll be a painful one. Anyway, the Live Report has more for those of you still trying to process things, while Tristan Lavalette's more considered offering is on its way, followed by reaction and analysis from our guys at the ground. We'll be back for the pink-ball Test in Brisbane in just under a fortnight. Time now for a lie-down in a darkened room. Bye!

5.22pm: Time for the presentations, starting with the Player of the Match, Mitchell Starc: [Top batting] "Sums it up. Travis Head, to take the game on like that and come up trumps was something to watch. Helter-skelter two days. There was a lot said going in but we needed to stick to our guns. Scotty Boland came good, Brendan Doggett on debut was fantastic. First time I haven't had Josh and Pat around for a while. Didn't change my role at all. If I can just do my role as I've mostly done across the years [that was the plan]."

England captain Ben Stokes: "Little bit shellshocked. Pretty phenomenal from Head. Pretty raw, pretty fresh, but that was some knock. The guys who had success were really brave and took the game on. If you find yourself in the position of getting in, you have to try and go on. Travis has knocked the wind out of us there. The guys who took it on and put their best bowlers under pressure found success on that [surface]. We tried three or four different plans to him, but when he's going like a train, he's very hard to stop. [Positives] The way in which we bowled yesterday was phenomenal. A lot happened on day one, a good day for the bowlers. Tough one, as we felt we were in control. Let this sink in, but we've got four more games. Long time before Brisbane, we'll go away and put in the graft."

Australia's Steven Smith: "Good start, wasn't it. Two-dayer, which we love when we're on the right side. [Head] That innings was out of this world, one of those days when he's on and he got us home. At tea time, had discussions [about the order], didn't like how it had gone in the first innings. He said he'd do it. [Other candidates?] Nathan Lyon was talked about, to be honest. Made the right decision in the end. That's right up there, fourth innings. The way he went about his business. And Marnus did a wonderful job at the other end as well. [Starc] Unbelievable. Two of the big three out, a lot on his shoulders. He bowled beautifully. It was a terrible ball, but the way he bowled to take seven was incredible. They backed it up today, Scott Boland was exceptional. [Doggett] Got a couple of key wickets, played nicely. Knows how to go about his business. Jake [Weatherald] made a rough start but the way he came out with Trav was outstanding. That partnership up top was amazing. [Cummins back for Brisbane?] I hope so, he's an absolute weapon, the skipper, so of course you want him back. Proud of the boys, glad to be 1-0 up. [Perth] Sensational, great crowd and it created a great vibe."

5.45pm: A two-day finish in Perth, and a barnstorming start to the series! First time a target has been successfully chased here - in the short history of the Optus Stadium - and it was largely down to the efforts of one man, Travis Head scoring 123 (83) as easy as ABC as Australia ran down the highest score in the match with ease. Head is already in his training gear as he walks out for the handshakes. The coolest man in the Ashes cauldron ices the job for Australia

Here is Travis Head talking to Channel 7: [Describe that] "I don't think I can. Good start to series. They're a seriously good outfit and the way Starcy led us yesterday, couldn't let that slip. [Processed yet?] Not even close. I was happy to do it [open]. Knew their plans, short-pitched bowling and what they would bring. Nice to be able to play a role. Lovely start. [Who made decision?] Coach and captain, I was keen to do it. Easily could have been out first over, go out there and see what happens. First game, to set the tone. Look forward to Brisbane now, what a start. Tried to hit down breeze. They're a seriously good bowling outfit. Made a couple of 90s here, I got 99 once - so wasted a couple. But lovely place to bat. [Ovation] Great moment, I'm no good at getting red ink. Normally try to get off the field as quick as a can. We'll celebrate, it's an Ashes series, we're 1-0 up, it's a fantastic start."

Bivin: "Stuart Broad must have understood that even the weakest Australian side can beat the strongest English side. Period"

"So Uzzy playing golf after all help Oz to win the game! Just saying ….." Rofl-worthy, Rishi

"Of all the bad things that happened in 2025, Heads innings is in the top 10." I'm guessing Alex isn't Australian

The jig's up, on comes Joe Root

"You obviously don't know England fans, we're all thinking 5-0." Well done for reading between the lines there, Sean

After a hug with Head on the boundary rope, in walks Australia's stand-in skipper, Steven Smith, to ice the cake

"In all seriousness, how do England come back from this? Travis Head or not, they should still be batting right now with the position they were in this morning." That's, errm, the beauty of a long series, Jazz, plenty of time for the momentum to shift again. I'm sure that's how England fans will be seeing it...

Carse replaces Archer

"I'm not surprised, just disappointed." Andrew describing the thoughts of Englishmen everywhere