Australia didn’t just beat England in the first Test of the 2025–26 Ashes series—they obliterated them. On November 23, 2025, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Australia cricket team wrapped up an 8-wicket victory by 2:47 pm local time, completing the match in just two days. The win wasn’t just a statement. It was a demolition. And it came courtesy of Mitchell Starc, whose 10-wicket match haul turned the game into a one-sided spectacle, and Travis Head, who smashed the second-fastest century in Ashes history—off just 69 balls. The final score: Australia 12 points, England 0 in the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship.
The Bowler Who Broke England’s Back
It’s rare for a single bowler to own a Test match from start to finish. But Mitchell Starc didn’t just own it—he dissected it. On Day Two, after England had fought their way to 287 in their first innings, Starc returned with the second innings ball and turned the pitch into a minefield. His left-arm angle, combined with late swing and seam movement, had England’s batsmen flailing. He removed Joe Root with a delivery that clipped the off stump. He got Ben Stokes with a peach of an in-swinger that left the captain staring. And then, with the final wicket, he trapped Gus Atkinson lbw with a ball that jagged back like a boomerang. Ten wickets. 104.3 overs. 149 runs. The numbers don’t lie. Starc’s 10-wicket match haul was his third in Test cricket and the first by an Australian since 2017."He didn’t just bowl well," said former Australian captain Ricky Ponting on commentary. "He bowled with the kind of precision and aggression that reminds you of Warne at his peak. Only this time, it was with the ball in hand, not the arm."
Head’s Lightning Strike
While Starc was dismantling England’s batting order, Travis Head was busy rewriting history. Chasing 167 for victory, Australia’s opener didn’t just chase—he exploded. The crowd fell silent as Head stepped out on the first delivery and launched a cover drive that cleared the boundary like a missile. By the 15th over, he was already at 50. The commentary booth, usually reserved in tone, erupted. "Manis goes big... All the way. And it’s 50 for Manis!"—a mispronunciation that stuck. By the 34th over, he reached 100. In 69 balls. Only Don Bradman (64 balls, 1930) had done it faster in Ashes history.What made it more remarkable was the context. England had bowled tight lines, rotated spinners, and tried to choke the scoring. Head ignored all of it. He reverse-swept off-spinner Jack Leach. He pulled fast bowlers over square leg. He even took a review when the umpire gave him out lbw—"Only Travis Head thought it was out. No one else did," the commentator noted. The replay showed the ball brushing the glove. Not out. And Head just smiled.
A Match That Rewrote the Rulebook
This wasn’t just a win. It was a historical anomaly. The match concluded in just 272.3 overs—the fewest balls bowled in an Ashes Test since 1888. It was also the first Ashes Test to finish inside two days since the opener in 1921. And it came after England’s preparation had been widely criticized. The England cricket team had played only one warm-up match—against England Lions—before the series. Their batting lineup, missing the experience of Ben Stokes (who bowled brilliantly but didn’t bat in the Test), looked disjointed. Will Jacks scored 84 in the warm-up. Ollie Pope hit a century. But neither translated to Test cricket.Meanwhile, Australia’s warm-up match against England Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on November 21–24 gave them a competitive edge. Emilio Gay, a 24-year-old English-born player representing Australia XI, scored 79—his last-minute switch paying off. And Scott Boland, the 34-year-old pace bowler who had been overlooked for years, took key wickets in the warm-up, proving Australia’s depth wasn’t just theoretical.
What This Means for the Rest of the Series
Australia now leads 1-0 in the five-match series, which runs through January 8, 2026. With 12 World Test Championship points in the bank, they’re already halfway to qualifying for the final. England, meanwhile, face mounting pressure. Their captain, Ben Stokes, has been sidelined with a hamstring strain. Their middle order—dominated by young players like Jacob Bethell and Ollie Pope—has yet to prove it can handle the heat of an Ashes Test."They didn’t just lose a game," said former England spinner Graeme Swann. "They lost belief. And belief is the hardest thing to rebuild in Test cricket."
The Bigger Picture
This result isn’t just about trophies. It’s about legacy. Starc, now 35, is playing his last Ashes series. Head, 31, is in his prime. And for Australia, this win signals a generational shift—their pace attack, once led by Mitchell Johnson and Pat Cummins, now belongs to Starc and Boland. England, meanwhile, are still searching for their next great fast bowler. Gus Atkinson showed promise, but he’s not ready to carry a team.The next Test begins December 5 in Sydney. Australia will be favorites. But the real question isn’t who will win. It’s whether England can even survive the next three days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Mitchell Starc’s 10-wicket haul compare to past Ashes performances?
Starc’s 10-wicket match haul was his third in Test cricket and the first by an Australian in the Ashes since Glenn McGrath in 2005. Only four bowlers in Ashes history have taken 10+ wickets in a single match more than once—Starc now joins them. His 7/49 in the second innings was the most by an Australian in an Ashes innings since 2010.
Why was Travis Head’s century considered so extraordinary?
Head’s 100 off 69 balls is the second-fastest in Ashes history, behind only Don Bradman’s 64-ball century in 1930. It’s also the fastest by an Australian in an Ashes Test since 1946. The speed was amplified by England’s disciplined bowling attack—Head faced 11 dot balls in his first 30 deliveries, then exploded with 13 fours and 6 sixes in his final 39.
Why did England struggle so much in their warm-up matches?
England played only one warm-up game against England Lions, while Australia had two competitive fixtures. England’s top order lacked match rhythm, and their bowlers didn’t face high-quality batting lineups. Will Jacks and Ollie Pope scored well in the warm-up, but their scores came against a second-string attack—unlike the disciplined Australian pace trio in the Test.
What’s the significance of the match ending in just two days?
It’s the shortest Ashes Test by balls bowled since 1888 and the first to finish inside two days since 1921. This reflects the dominance of pace bowling on a responsive pitch and the collapse of England’s batting discipline. Historically, Ashes Tests last 4–5 days. This result suggests modern conditions favor aggressive, high-intensity cricket over traditional attrition.
How does this result impact Australia’s chances in the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship?
Australia now leads the WTC standings with 12 points from one Test. They need 16 points to guarantee a final berth. With four more Tests against England and matches against India and South Africa coming up, this win gives them a massive cushion. England, on 0 points, must now win at least two of their remaining Tests just to stay in contention.
What’s next for the Ashes series?
The next Test begins December 5 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, followed by matches in Brisbane (December 13), Adelaide (December 27), and Perth (January 8). Australia will look to enforce follow-ons early. England’s captaincy and batting depth will be under intense scrutiny—especially if Ben Stokes remains unfit.
