England slumped to a heavy defeat in the opening Ashes Test as Travis Head’s explosive century powered Australia to a remarkable comeback victory in Perth Saturday.

In the first Ashes match to finish inside two days since 1921, Head tore apart England’s bowling with a breathtaking 69-ball hundred, the second-fastest in Ashes history. His 123 carried Australia to their target of 205 in just 28.2 overs, securing an eight-wicket win and a 1-0 lead in the five-Test series.

The turnaround was dramatic. Australia had conceded a 40-run first-innings deficit and were effectively 105 behind when England moved to 65-1 shortly after lunch, only for the match to unravel for the visitors.

Mitchell Starc’s 10-wicket haul, combined with a series of poor English shots and a bold Australian call to elev

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