Travball Reigns! Aussies up 1-0 via MAJOR English collapse!

The first Ashes Test concludes in stunning fashion as Australia secures a dominant 1-0 series lead after a "brainless" English batting collapse. Hosts Steven O’Keefe and Moises Henriques are left in awe of a day where the visitors "completely bottle it," handing the game back to Australia on a "silver platter."

The "Boland Bounce"

After a quiet first day, Scott Boland finds his rhythm in spectacular fashion, silencing any concerns about his form. Henriques notes that Boland settles into a "slightly more defensive length," moving to a sixth or seventh stump line that draws the English batters into fatal errors. "Three batters in a row... all driving on the up," Henriques observes, as Pope, Brook, and Root fall in rapid succession to Boland and Starc. O'Keefe highlights that Boland's adjustment "cracked the game open" just when England appeared to be in control.

England’s "brainless" collapse

The hosts are scathing in their assessment of England’s middle-order meltdown. Despite being effectively 100 runs ahead with nine wickets in hand, England's most experienced players fall to the same repetitive mistakes. "They torch it through just brainless thinking cricket," O’Keefe says, pointing out that the English batters continue to "fight the Perth conditions" by trying to drive on the up rather than playing the bounce. Henriques adds that while "Bazball" has its merits, the reckless execution in Perth is "flirting with danger."

"Travball" takes over

With Usman Khawaja sidelined by back spasms, Travis Head is promoted to the top of the order in what Henriques calls a "bold call" by the Australian leadership. Head responds with a breathtaking 120 off just 80 balls, an innings O’Keefe describes as "one of the most amazing Ashes Test innings I've ever seen." Unlike the English batters, Head uses the pace and bounce to his advantage, hitting square and behind the wicket. "He's come out after looking behind the pace to then basically making that English attack look pedestrian," Henriques remarks.

Starc’s 10-wicket haul

Mitchell Starc cements his status as the leader of the attack, finishing with 10 wickets for the match, including a personal best 7 for 58 in the first innings. The hosts marvel at his athleticism, particularly a low, diving catch to dismiss Zak Crawley. Henriques describes Starc’s delivery to dismiss Ben Stokes—a "wobble in, swing away" ball—as something that will give the England captain "nightmares." "Is he 25 or 35?" O’Keefe asks, praising the 35-year-old’s enduring speed and impact.

Soul-searching for the Gabba

As the series moves to Brisbane, the hosts believe England must learn to "play the conditions" or face another drubbing. Henriques warns that if they take the same "reckless" mentality into the Gabba, "it flat out is just not going to work." Meanwhile, Australia faces fitness concerns over Nathan Lyon and Usman Khawaja. O’Keefe, having previously tipped England to win the series, admits he is "eating humble pie" after seeing the visitors "thumped" in just two days.

Watch the full episode on Fanatics TV.