Australia opened the Ashes 2025-26 series with a dominant 8-wicket victory, wrapping up the Perth Test inside just two days. The match made history on Day 1 itself, with 19 wickets tumbling — a rare occurrence not seen in over a century.
The Australians sealed the chase of 205 in a single session, powered by Travis Head’s blistering 69-ball century. His aggressive knock dismantled England’s bowling attack and ensured a swift finish, though it came with unexpected consequences off the field.
Financial Hit for Cricket Australia
ABC Sports reported that Cricket Australia suffered a loss of ₹17.35 crore due to the early finish. With tickets already sold for Days 3, 4 and 5, the board now faces the unprecedented task of issuing large-scale refunds — the first such instance for a two-day Ashes Test.
Travis Head Shows Sportsmanship
Following his match-winning performance, Head expressed regret to fans who had hoped for a longer contest, acknowledging the disappointment even as Australia celebrated a resounding victory.
