Travis Head authored one of the most extraordinary chapters in cricket history. He smashed the first-ever 69-ball century in the fourth innings of a Test match. This powered Australia to a stunning eight-wicket victory over England, concluding a whirlwind first Ashes Test in just two days.
In a breathtaking display that rewrote 148 years of cricketing lore, Head transformed a potentially tricky run-chase. It became a spectacular exhibition of power-hitting. His unprecedented innings, the fastest hundred ever recorded in a fourth innings, ensured Australia chased down a target of 205 with three full days to spare. This underscored a completely dominant performance.
Promoted to opener after an injury to Usman Khawaja, Head didn’t just counter England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ philosophy—he obliterated it. From the outset, he launched a brutal assault on the English pace bowlers. He raced to a century from just 69 deliveries. This landmark achievement stands alone in the annals of the sport. No batter had ever reached a hundred in under 70 balls in the final innings of a Test.
100 off just 69 balls! Travis Head, what an innings! #Ashes | #MilestoneMoment | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/oiV1QEneYp
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 22, 2025His final score of 123 from 83 balls, featuring 16 fours and four sixes, was a masterclass in controlled aggression. He was finally caught in the deep with just 13 runs needed for victory. He had single-handedly demoralised the English attack and sealed the match.
The match itself was a fast-bowler’s spectacle, perfectly set up for Head’s heroics. Across five sessions and just 113 overs, a total of 30 wickets fell for 468 runs. The carnage began on an extraordinary opening day that saw 19 wickets tumble. It continued on the second day with 11 more falls before the tea interval.
"An #Ashes Test with a plot less believable than a bad Netflix movie was decided by the blade of a rampaging Travis Head…"
Break down everything from one of the wildest Tests we've seen: https://t.co/Lo2920YGZQ pic.twitter.com/M6GXtUDQmO
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 22, 2025Marnus Labuschagne (51 not out) provided composed support at the other end, hitting the winning runs as Australia reached 205-2. This victory extends Australia’s unbeaten run in home Ashes Tests to 16 matches, a streak dating back to 2011.
Read: Australia Beat India by 4 Wickets in 2nd T20I
The teams now head to Brisbane for the second Test, which begins on December 4. England faces the monumental task of recovering from one of the most rapid and devastating defeats in the long and storied history of the Ashes.
