Where England's Perth nightmare against Australia ranks on list of fastest Ashes defeats
By Will Conroy
Published 22/11/2025 at 21:35 GMT
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Australia stormed to victory over England in the first Ashes Test in Perth, wrapping things up inside two days and winning by eight wickets. It was the first time that an Ashes Test had ended within two days for over 100 years, while there were only 847 balls faced, which is a record on Australian soil. But where does England’s collapse in Perth rank on the list of all-time fastest Ashes defeats?
Highlights: Head inspires Australia to first Test win on Day 2
Video credit: TNT Sports
England suffered a crushing defeat in the first Test of the NRMA Insurance men's Ashes in Perth as Australia wrapped up victory on day two, winning by eight wickets.Â
England held a lead of 40 after the first innings, but following some disastrous batting and supreme bowling by Mitchell Starc, Australia stormed to victory, inspired by Travis Head producing the second-fastest Ashes hundred of all time.
But where does England’s collapse in Perth rank on the list of all-time fastest Ashes defeats?Â
There have been just six Ashes Tests which have ended inside two days, and this is the first time it has happened in over 100 years.
The most recent occasion was in 1921, when Australia sealed victory in the first Test at Trent Bridge, en route to a 3-0 series triumph.Â
All three Tests during the 1988 series ended within two days, at Lord's, The Oval and Old Trafford, as England clinched a 2-1 victory.Â
A two-day Test unfolded once again at the Oval just two years later in 1890, once more going the way of England as they took the series 2-0.Â
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Head with 'the most important' century of his career as Australia close in on England total
Video credit: TNT Sports
Shortest Ashes Tests by balls bowled
The first Test of this year's series saw the third-fewest balls bowled in Ashes history, and the fewest in an Ashes Test in Australia.
There were the fewest number of balls for 137 years, with only the aforementioned Tests at Old Trafford and Lord's in 1988 featuring fewer.
The previous record in Australia was set in 1895, when there were 911 balls bowled during the fourth Test of the series in Sydney.
| Year and venue | Balls bowled |
| 1888, Old Trafford | 788 |
| 1888, Lord's | 792 |
| 2025, Perth | 847 |
| 1895, SCG | 911 |
| 1950, Gabba | 1034 |
It was the third-fewest number of balls England have faced in an Ashes Test when they have been bowled out twice.
They faced 405 balls in this opening Test, only facing fewer at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1904 and at Lord's in 1888.
- Where Head's 'phenomenal' century ranks in all-time Test hundreds
- McCullum defends England game plan despite Langer criticism after Perth defeat
- Stokes says Head's performance 'knocked the wind out' of England - Ashes Updates
How to watch and live stream the Ashes 2025
Every ball from the 2025/26 Ashes will be available live and on-demand via TNT Sports and its streaming platform, discovery+.
Viewers watching the action on discovery+ will benefit from the timeline markers featured throughout the series – allowing them to catch up on all the highlights and pivotal moments at their own pace.
Viewers watching the action on discovery+ will benefit from the timeline markers featured throughout the series – allowing them to catch up on all the highlights and pivotal moments at their own pace.
To complement the live action, TNT Sports will broadcast highlights throughout the daytime on its linear channels and discovery+.
In addition, TNT Sports will produce The Edge – a review programme presented from its studios in London - airing in an evening prime-time slot on TNT Sports after the completion of each Test (UK time).
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