The Ashes 2025 – Travis Head slams half-century in Perth:Mitchell Starc records 10-fers as England all-out for 164 runs; AUS need 118 runs to win

The opening Test of the Ashes series between Australia and England has reached an exciting stage at the Optus Stadium in Perth. England has given Australia a target of 205 runs to win the first match of the five-Test series. Earlier, England were bowled out for 164 runs in their second innings. Australia, chasing the target after the second day’s play, were bowled out for 132 runs in their first innings, giving England a 40-run lead. England’s captain Ben Stokes produced an impressive performance with the ball, taking five wickets. This match has moved very quickly and dramatically, with both teams struggling against a strong pace bowling attack. A total of 19 wickets fell on the first day alone, all taken by fast bowlers. Starc bags 10-wicket haul in the Perth Test Australia’s fast bowler Mitchell Starc was the standout performer of the match so far. He took 7 wickets in the first innings and 3 wickets in the second innings, completing a brilliant 10-wicket haul. His crucial efforts helped restrict England from building a stronger total. England’s second innings collapse England’s second innings began poorly. Opener Zak Crawley was dismissed for a duck, caught brilliantly by Starc off his own bowling with a one-handed catch. Ben Duckett scored 28 runs before being dismissed by Scott Boland, caught by Steve Smith. Ollie Pope made 33 runs, while Joe Root scored only 8 before Starc bowled him. Harry Brook was dismissed without scoring. Captain Ben Stokes scored just 2, and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith made 15 runs as England collapsed to 104 for 7. Atkinson and Carse rescue England The lower-order partnership of Gus Atkinson (37) and Brydon Carse added 50 valuable runs for the eighth wicket, taking England’s overall lead past 200 runs. Boland took 4 wickets in this innings, while Brendan Doggett picked up 3.