Australia have taken the lead in the Ashes, cruising past England to win the first test by eight wickets at the Perth Stadium
Australia have defeated England by eight wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the Ashes. Steve Smith dropped the curtain on the first test of the five-match series at the Perth Stadium, batting Brydon Carse into the off side for four.
It’s just the sixth Ashes Test to have finished in two days, and the first time in 104 years. Speaking to TNT Sport after the game, Travis Head heaped praise on England, describing the opposition as a ‘seriously good outfit’.
The Australia vice-captain said: “Good start. They’re a seriously good outfit, and we couldn’t let Starc-y getting 7-58 slip. First game of the series to set the tone. I feel sorry for the 60,000 who were due to come here tomorrow.
“They’ve got serous fast bowling. I just tried to hit down the breeze. I knew I was going to get tested in all departments, when I got 50-60 I could feel the momentum.
“I got 99 here a few years ago, I’ve wasted a couple. It was a pretty food wicket, day two, nice not having to bat day four or five. We’re 1-0 up, we’re going to Brisbane, if that’s anything to go by it’s going to be a hell of a series.”
Head struck the third century of his career in an Ashes series. On whether he’s processed his innings, the Australian said: “No, not even close.”
On opening, Head said: “I was happy to do it, it doesn’t bother me too much. I sort of floated the idea, nice to play a role. Coach, captain [decided he’d open]. We threw some ideas around the room.
“I was pretty keen to do it. Quite easily could have been out in the first over, didn’t really matter it was the right process, right way to go about it.”
Meanwhile, in an interview with Test Match Special, Ben Stokes suggested he and his teammates were not brave enough’. The England captain said: “I’m shell-shocked a little bit, wide eyed after that to see what unfolded, particularly after the first day.
“Our third innings with the bat then to see what Head did with the bat. It’s hard to settle in with plans when you look up and the runs are coming down quickly.”
Stokes added: “We were very confident having a 200 run lead for Australia to chase. The way that the wicket was playing was tough. There was a lot in it for the bowlers.
“Looking back on it, if you’re the one out the with the opportunity in the middle, you’ve got to make sure the mentality that you’ve never had enough. The ones that had success were the ones who were brave enough to face the ball.”
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The Ashes gets underway on November 21 and all the action in the battle between England and Australia will be broadcast live on TNT Sports. Fans can tune in via discovery+ or Prime Video’s TNT Sports channel.
