Australia vs England 1st Ashes Test: Cricket Australia faces a significant financial setback after the first Ashes Test in Perth ended far earlier than expected. (Image Credit: X/ @iamMrWarrior)
Australia vs England 1st Ashes Test: The Ashes 2025–26 opened with a dramatic finish in two days in Perth, where Australia overpowered England in one-sided contests that have resulted in a major financial setback to Cricket Australia. While high-octane cricket was the highlight of the match, it finished earlier than expected, resulting in full refunds for days that never happened.
England were rattled from the outset as Mitchell Starc ripped through their first innings with a superb 7-for, limiting the tourists to 172. His pace and accuracy on a fiery Perth surface proved far too challenging for England’s top order.
Australia’s reply wasn’t much stronger, with the hosts being bowled out for 132. But despite the low total, the match remained firmly in Australia’s control. England’s second innings again faltered, folding for 164. Scott Boland delivered a disciplined spell to pick up four wickets, while Starc added three more to complete a ten-wicket haul across the match.
Chasing 205 for victory, Australia got off to a flyer. Promoted to open due to the back discomfort of Usman Khawaja, Travis Head played one of the most scintillating innings in Ashes history. The 123 off 83 balls was replete with clean hitting and relentless strokeplay as England's hopes of prolonging the game were completely flattened.
Marnus Labuschagne added an unbeaten fifty to guide Australia to victory by eight wickets in just 28.2 overs.
While Australia was dominant on the pitch, Cricket Australia had a significant commercial blow. With the Perth Test ending before Day 3, thousands of prepaid ticket holders must be refunded.
Taken together, Day 1 and Day 2 had drawn over 100,000 spectators, and Day 3 was all but sold out. The early finish has translated into projected losses of more than AUD 3 million — a painful figure at a time when the board had lately reported an annual deficit.
It also cuts short broadcaster commitments, reduces sponsor exposure, and affects hospitality income. According to the officials, the financial impact reaches far beyond lost ticket sales, involving multiple commercial partners linked to the Ashes.
The aggressive "Bazball" philosophy of England came into sharp focus as repeated attempts at high-risk batting failed on a pace-friendly surface. Lack of adjustment, complemented by some very poor shot selection, meant collapses in both innings.
Their struggles raised questions as to whether the ultra-attacking template will survive on traditional Australian surfaces, where the bounce and pace demand more patience and technical discipline.
