Australia’s Travis Head produced a sensational century to guide his team to an eight-wicket victory in the opening Ashes 2025-26 Test, which wrapped up on Day 2 (Saturday, November 22) in Perth. England won the toss and chose to bat first but were bundled out for 172 in 32.5 overs, with Harry Brook top-scoring with 52. For Australia, Mitchell Starc delivered an outstanding spell, finishing with figures of 7/58 from 12.5 overs.
In reply, England captain Ben Stokes turned the game briefly with a fiery burst of 5/23 in six overs, bowling Australia out for 132 in 45.2 overs. England then managed 164 in their second innings, setting the hosts a target of 205.
In the fourth innings, Travis Head opened the batting alongside Jake Weatherald and launched a furious assault on England’s bowlers. He raced to a half-century in just 36 balls and reached his hundred off only 69 deliveries. Head finished with a breathtaking 123 off 83 balls, including 16 fours and four sixes, as Australia chased down the target in just 28.2 overs to seal the win inside two days.
Following Travis Head’s blistering knock of 123, here are five records he set during the first Ashes Test.
#1 Travis Head registered the second-fastest hundred in Ashes Tests
Travis Head brought up his century in just 69 balls in the opening Test against England, making it the second-fastest hundred in Ashes history. The record is still held by fellow Australian and former wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist, who blasted a 57-ball century in the third Test at Perth in December 2006.
Gilchrist went on to remain unbeaten on 102 off 59 deliveries, hitting 12 fours and four sixes, as Australia cruised to a 206-run victory.
#2 Quickest fourth-innings hundred in Tests
During his breathtaking knock of 123 off 83 balls, Travis Head also set the record for the fastest fourth-innings century in Test cricket, reaching the landmark in just 69 deliveries.
He surpassed England’s Gilbert Jessop, who had held the record since 1902 after striking a 76-ball hundred in the fourth innings against Australia at The Oval. Jessop eventually scored 104 off 77 balls, smashing 17 fours and guiding England to a one-wicket victory while chasing 263.
#3 Joint-fastest century by an opening batter in all Tests
With his 69-ball hundred, Travis Head equalled the record for the joint-fastest century by an opener in Tests. He matched the feat of fellow former Australian opener David Warner.
Warner had smashed his 69-ball ton during the Perth Test against India in January 2012. He went on to score a brilliant 180 off 159 deliveries, hitting 20 fours and five sixes, as Australia won the match by an innings and 37 runs.
#4 Highest strike rate in a successful run chase in Test cricket history
After bringing up his century in just 69 balls, Travis Head went on to score a blistering 123 off 83 deliveries at a strike rate of 148.19, guiding Australia to an eight-wicket victory. His innings also broke Jonny Bairstow’s record for the highest strike rate by a batter in a successful Test run chase.
Bairstow had struck 136 off 92 balls against New Zealand at Trent Bridge in Nottingham in 2022, smashing 14 fours and seven sixes at a strike rate of 147.82. His explosive knock helped England chase down 299 and secure a five-wicket win.
#5 Joint third-fastest hundred by an Australian in Tests
Travis Head’s 69-ball century also placed him joint third on the list of fastest hundreds by an Australian in Test cricket. The record is held by Adam Gilchrist, who blasted a 57-ball ton against England in Perth in 2006.
JM Gregory sits second, thanks to his 67-ball century against South Africa in Johannesburg in 1921. Head shares the third spot with David Warner, who also registered a 69-ball hundred, achieved against India in Perth in 2012.
Edited by Dev Sharma
