The shortest Ashes Test in 104 years left travelling England fans anguished at their team's attitude and had implications, too, for Perth

England pass up the opportunity to send their first-choice batters to gain match practice in an Ashes tour game in Canberra, despite a dismal defeat in the first Test.

The tourists collapsed to a famous Ashes defeat in the first Test in Perth on Saturday, with a 69-ball century from Travis Head and a catastrophic afternoon batting session – in which England lost four wickets for just 11 runs – helping Australia complete a remarkable turnaround inside two days.

Pat Cummins half a chance to be fit for day-night second Ashes Test in Brisbane from December 4 after sitting out two-day win over England in Perth with back issue; Australia have won 13 of 14 pink-ball Tests,

Travis Head reaches a sensational 100* off just 69 balls, marking the second-fastest century in Ashes history, joint fastest by an opener in all Tests, and the quickest ever in a fourth-innings chase.

Former captain Michael Vaughan claimed it would be ‘amateurish’ not to send key men to the capital to experience a floodlit fixture.

Teague Wyllie 20(31)) | , Fri, Nov 21, England Lions tour of Australia, 2025 with live Cricket score, ball by ball commentary updates on Cricbuzz

Australia took nine wickets in the second session of day two at Perth Stadium on Saturday to bowl England out for 164 at tea, leaving the hosts needing 205 runs to secure victory in the first Ashes test.

England avoid Australia and New Zealand in 2026 Rugby League World Cup group stages, while draws are also made for women's and wheelchair tournaments.

Since last claiming an Ashes series in Australia 15 years ago, they have now lost 14 Tests, drawn two and won none Down Under. England had a perfect opportunity to snap the dire streak and earn a psychological advantage heading into the day-night second Test in Brisbane on December 4.