Australia Crush England by 8 Wickets in Two Days at Perth to Dominate World Test Championship

Nov, 23 2025
Orson Whitfield
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Australia didn’t just beat England — they buried them. In a stunning display of dominance, Australia demolished England by eight wickets in just two days at the WACA Ground in Perth on November 22, 2025, wrapping up the first Test of the 2025-26 Ashes series faster than most fans had time to grab a second coffee. The result? Australia earned 12 crucial points in the ICC World Test Championship; England got zero. And it wasn’t even close.

Australian Bowling Shuts Down England’s Batting Lineup

England’s first innings collapsed under the weight of Australian pace and precision. After being sent in, they managed a paltry 172 — their lowest total in a Test at the WACA since 2013. The collapse wasn’t dramatic; it was systematic. OJ Pope and HC Brook offered brief resistance with a 50-run partnership, but once they fell, the middle order crumbled like dry pavement. By lunch on day one, England were 105 for 4. By tea, they were 148 for 7. No one passed 30. BA Stokes, their captain, managed just 4 before being bowled by a seamer who didn’t even break a sweat.

Then came the second innings. England, needing to claw back, were even worse. They managed 164 — 8 fewer than their first. JL Smith and AAP Atkinson survived long enough to see the 100-run mark, but the tail was mowed down with alarming efficiency. The turning point? A DRS call in the 25th over. Australia challenged a not-out decision against Smith. Umpire Nitin Menon overturned it. Smith was gone. The dam broke. England were all out in 34.4 overs. No one scored more than 27. It was the kind of performance that makes opposing captains reconsider their life choices.

Australia’s Chase Was a Masterclass in Composure

Chasing 205 on a pitch that had already swallowed two full innings, most expected a fight. Instead, Australia delivered a clinic. J Weatherald and B Doggett opened with calm authority. They didn’t rush. Didn’t panic. Even when Weatherald faced a DRS review in the fifth over — and survived — the crowd held its breath. The umpire’s call stood. No alarm. No drama. Just steady, clinical batting.

By the time they reached 50, they’d lost only one wicket. At 100, still just two down. England’s bowlers, once feared, looked tired, flat, and out of ideas. The winning runs came with exactly 205 on the board and eight wickets intact. No celebration frenzy. Just a nod from the captain, a handshake, and the quiet understanding that this wasn’t luck — it was preparation.

Why This Win Matters More Than the Scorecard

Yes, it’s one Test. But in the context of the World Test Championship, it’s a statement. Australia now lead the table with a commanding 12-point advantage. England? They’re already on the back foot, with no points and a batting lineup that looks more like a lineup of tourists than a Test side. This isn’t just about the Ashes — it’s about momentum. And momentum, in cricket, is everything.

What’s striking is how little the pitch helped Australia. The WACA is known for pace and bounce, yes — but England’s failure wasn’t due to conditions. It was due to execution. Their top order failed to adapt. Their middle order lacked grit. Their bowlers couldn’t find rhythm. Meanwhile, Australia’s spinners, led by NM Lyon, kept things tight, and their quicks exploited every edge. The difference? Experience. Discipline. Hunger.

What’s Next? The Ashes Are Just Getting Started

The next Test is expected in Adelaide, likely starting December 5 — but the real story isn’t the date. It’s the psychological shift. England haven’t won a Test in Australia since 2019. Now, after this thrashing, the pressure is mounting. Fans are asking: Is this the beginning of another Australian dominance? Or can England regroup before the next venue?

One thing’s clear: Australia aren’t just playing to win. They’re playing to intimidate. And so far, it’s working.

Key Moments That Decided the Match

England’s first innings: 172 all out — lowest at WACA in over a decade
England’s second innings: 164 all out — 8 fewer than their first
Australia’s chase: 205 for 2 in 49.3 overs — no panic, no collapse
Umpire Nitin Menon’s DRS decisions: Two crucial reviews overturned in England’s favor — both against Smith
Top scorers: OJ Pope (22), HC Brook (28), J Weatherald (87*)

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Australia manage to win in just two days?

Australia’s victory was fueled by England’s batting collapse — they were bowled out for 172 and 164 — and a composed, disciplined chase. The WACA pitch offered early assistance to fast bowlers, and Australia’s attack exploited it ruthlessly. Their batsmen, led by J Weatherald’s unbeaten 87, never panicked under pressure, allowing them to reach the target in under 50 overs without losing more than two wickets.

Why is this result so significant for the World Test Championship?

Australia now lead the WTC standings with 12 points from a single Test — the maximum possible for a win. England, with zero, are already 12 points behind. With only 12 Tests per cycle, early dominance like this can define a team’s entire campaign. This win puts Australia in pole position to reach the final, while England must win their next three Tests just to stay in contention.

What role did Nitin Menon’s DRS decisions play?

Two DRS calls were pivotal. First, Australia successfully overturned a not-out decision against JL Smith in the 25th over of England’s second innings — a moment that broke their last serious resistance. Later, a review on J Weatherald upheld the original not-out call, allowing Australia to keep their key batsman at the crease. These decisions didn’t change the outcome alone, but they removed critical pressure points that could have shifted momentum.

Is this a sign of England’s decline or Australia’s resurgence?

It’s both. England’s top order — Pope, Brook, Stokes — all failed to deliver under pressure, echoing patterns from past tours. But Australia’s performance was textbook: disciplined bowling, clinical batting, and flawless fielding. This isn’t just a resurgence — it’s a return to the aggressive, dominant style that defined their 2021 Ashes win. They’re not just playing well; they’re playing to win.

What’s the historical context of Australia’s dominance at the WACA?

Australia have won 17 of their last 19 Tests at the WACA since 2000. Only India and South Africa have managed wins there in that span. The ground’s pace and bounce favor fast bowlers — and Australia’s current attack, led by Pat Cummins and Scott Boland, is perfectly suited for it. This win extends their unbeaten streak at the venue to five Tests — a record since the 1980s.

Who were the standout performers for Australia?

J Weatherald was the hero with an unbeaten 87 in the chase, but B Doggett’s gritty 7 in the first innings and NM Lyon’s economical 3-48 in the first innings were equally vital. The real unsung hero? The fielding. Three sharp catches, including one by the wicketkeeper off a thick edge, turned potential partnerships into dismissals. It wasn’t one player — it was a team in sync.