England’s batting lineup faltered dramatically in the opening Ashes Test in Perth, leading to a swift eight-wicket defeat by Australia that concluded inside two days. The International Cricket Council has since rated the pitch at Optus Stadium as “very good,” citing its consistent bounce and fair balance between bat and ball.
After building a promising position with a lead exceeding 100 runs and nine wickets still in hand, England suffered a sudden middle-order collapse, losing their remaining wickets in under 35 overs. Australia then chased down the target in just hours, with Travis Head steering the side to victory. The match became the shortest Ashes contest in 137 years.
Cricket Australia officials defended the pitch, pointing to high-quality fast bowling from both sides and the competitive nature of the game as factors behind the abbreviated playing time. While the early finish disappointed ticket holders and resulted in significant financial losses, television viewership reportedly surged by 60% compared to the previous year’s Test against India.
Officials expressed hope that the thrilling, if brief, contest would inspire young fans and looked ahead to the next match under lights at the Gabba, promising another compelling encounter.
