Overview
- Australia chased 205 in 28.2 overs to win by eight wickets in Perth, the first Ashes Test to finish inside two days since 1921.
- Makeshift opener Travis Head, promoted with Usman Khawaja struggling with his back, smashed 123 off 83 balls for a 69-ball century.
- Mitchell Starc claimed a 10-wicket match haul as Scott Boland’s post‑lunch burst helped turn England’s 65-1 into 164 all out.
- Ben Stokes said he was “shellshocked,” while head coach Brendon McCullum vowed England will not abandon their attacking blueprint.
- Focus now shifts to the day–night Test at the Gabba on December 4, with calls for a pink‑ball warm‑up in Canberra and reminders that Australia have dominated such fixtures, as Cricket Australia also warned of financial losses from the early finish.