CRICKET – Makeshift opener Travis Head scored a brilliant century and paceman Mitchell Starc claimed a 10-wicket haul as Australia ran out eight-wicket victors against England yesterday inside an astonishing two days during the Ashes opener at Perth Stadium.
The manic style of cricket, which produced the shortest Ashes Test by overs-bowled to deliver a result since 1888, kept the crowd enthralled as both sides gained and relinquished the ascendancy throughout.
England had set Australia a target of 205 after being bowled out for 164 by tea on day two, losing nine second-session wickets in the wake of a Scott Boland masterclass of four for 33.
Head, replacing opener Usman Khawaja, who gingerly left the field in England’s 27th over with back trouble, got Australia’s run chase off to a rollicking start, giving the tourists a taste of their own ‘Bazball’ medicine in the third session.
The near 50,000-strong crowd came to life when Head slashed Brydon Carse for six over third man to bring up 50 for his side, and later roared their approval when he peeled four boundaries off Ben Stokes’ second over.
Marnus Labuschagne added an unbeaten 49-ball 51 after debutant Jake Weatherald (23) fell to Carse, but the moment belonged to Head, who after 69 balls brought up Australia’s equal-third fastest century with a risky upper-cut and scurried single.
The fourth innings raced to a conclusion with Head clubbing four sixes and 16 boundaries before launching Carse to Ollie Pope at deep midwicket, hugging Labuschagne and soaking in the applause as he walked off.
In the 29th over, Smith, unbeaten on two, hit the winning run with a single punched to the off-side giving Australia a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
England cricket team elected to bat on day one, but would have quickly questioned their decision when Starc ran riot, claiming a career-best seven for 58 as the tourists crashed to 172 all out.
Harry Brook compiled an enterprising 52 before feathering debutant Brendan Doggett to keeper Alex Carey and Pope added 46 before being trapped lbw to Cameron Green.
However, Starc left the other batsmen bereft of answers, including Joe Root who was caught for a duck.
England’s fast bowlers responded in kind, ripping out nine Australia wickets before stumps on day one.
Stokes counter-attacked with 5-23, his sixth test ‘five-fer’, to end a frenetic day where 19 wickets fell – reminiscent of India’s clash with Australia at the same venue last year when 17 wickets fell on the opening day.
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