Australia’s stand-in captain Steve Smith praised Travis Head and Mitchell Starc after their brilliant performances helped Australia win the first Ashes Test in Perth.
Head scored a fearless century, while Starc delivered a match-winning spell that sealed an eight-wicket victory and gave Australia a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
During the post-match presentation, Smith highlighted how special Head’s knock was. “That innings was out of this world, one of those days when he’s on and he got us home. At tea time, had discussions [about the order], didn’t like how it had gone in the first innings. He said he’d do it. Nathan Lyon was talked about, to be honest. Made the right decision in the end. That’s right up there, fourth innings. The way he went about his business. And Marnus did a wonderful job at the other end as well.”
Head scored a brilliant 123 off 83 balls, hitting 16 fours and four sixes.
Smith also praised Starc for leading the bowling attack in the absence of regular captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. Starc took 10 wickets in the match, including seven in the first innings. Smith said, “Unbelievable. Two of the big three out, a lot on his shoulders. He bowled beautifully. It was a terrible ball, but the way he bowled to take seven was incredible. They backed it up today, Scott Boland was exceptional. [Doggett] Got a couple of key wickets, played nicely. Knows how to go about his business.”
The second Test will begin on December 4 in Brisbane, where England will aim to bounce back after the defeat in Perth.
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