Travis Head stuns with 69-ball century in AUS vs ENG 1st Ashes Test

While the pacers dominated the first three innings of the first Test of the Ashes 2025-26, and the fourth innings target of 205 runs seemed really challenging, the Aussie opener Travis Head stunned everyone with a 69-ball century as the hosts stormed in the fourth innings chase. 

England set a 205-run target for the hosts Australia in the fourth innings, as the Aussie left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc completed his 10-wicket haul in the match with three more wickets in England’s second innings after his seven-fer in the first innings.  

While every cricket fan was feeling an exciting fourth innings battle in the Perth Test and a possible finish on the third day, Travis Head had a completely different idea. It was a Head-storm, where the English bowlers had no clue how to stop him.  

Watch: Mitchell Starc completes 10-wicket haul on Day 2 of 1st Test of The Ashes 2025-26

Travis Head slammed 69-ball century

As the experienced opener Usman Khawaja was unavailable to open the innings, debutant Jake Weatherald opened with Travis Head in the fourth innings. The openers had a brilliant 75-run partnership for the first wicket, while Head and Marnus Labuschagne had a 117-run partnership for the second wicket before the stand-in captain Steven Smith and Labuschagne's third wicket partnership comfortably took Australia home.  

After completing his fifty in 36 balls, Head completed his 10th Test century in just 69 balls. It was the second fastest century in the Ashes history, while it was also the joint third fastest Test century by an Australian batter. Overall, it was the joint sixth fastest century in Test cricket history.  

Fastest centuries in the Ashes history  

• 57 balls by Adam Gilchrist (Australia) in Perth 2006

• 69 balls by Travis Head (Australia) in Perth 2025

• 76 balls by Gilbert Jessop (England) in The Oval 1902

Fastest Test centuries by Australians 

• 57 balls by Adam Gilchrist (vs England) in Perth 2006

• 67 balls by Jack Gregory (vs South Africa) in Johannesburg 1921 

• 69 balls by David Warner (vs India) in Perth 2012

• 69 balls by Travis Head (vs England) in Perth 2025