England suffered another Ashes nightmare Down Under after falling to a humiliating two-day defeat in the first Test against Australia. A two-month tour that began with high hopes of regaining the urn just 48 hours earlier lurched towards a brutal eight-wicket loss that was their fastest since their last two-day capitulation in 1921.

England captain Ben Stokes declared himself shell-shocked by Travis Head's incredible innings of 123 as Australia, seemingly on the ropes, roared back to crush England by eight wickets inside two days of the opening Ashes test on Saturday.

England were bowled out for just 164 in their second innings as Australia won the first Ashes Test by eight wickets after Travis Head's sensational century on day two.

Mitchell Starc has taken a career-best seven wickets for 58 runs as Australia bundled England out for 172 despite losing the toss in the Ashes cricket series opener

Chasing 205 to win, Head slammed 123 as the hosts romped home on day two by eight wickets in an electric start to the five-match series. Marnus Labuschagne was not-out 51 and Steve Smith on two

Roll up, roll up, it's time for the most breathlessly hyped Ashes since the last one. Australia will take on England over the course of five Tests, the first of which starts on Friday in Perth, with the hosts looking to retain the urn they have held since 2017-18.

In the 2017-18 Ashes, Steve Smith scored 687 runs in seven innings at an average of 137.40, marking an explosive peak.

The high drama and flow of wickets returned in the middle session Saturday after a morning lull, turning the Ashes series opener into a duel between the pace attacks of Australia and England. Mitchell Starc had 10 wickets for the match including his career-best 7-58 in the first innings,