Incredible two-day Ashes Test

Mitchell Starc could eclipse Wasim Akram as the most prolific left-armed wicket-takers in Test history. Picture: AFP

Aside from player of the match Mitchell Starc’s haul of 10 Poms and Travis Head’s unforgettable century, pounded around and over the boundaries of Perth Stadium, the star of the two-day Ashes opener was Test cricket itself, in its glorious unpredictability.

For most of the game, the old frenemies’ fortunes ebbed and flowed. In the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood due to injury, the hosts stepped up, containing England to 172 on Friday. Local fans were exuberant, until the visitors’ much-hyped four-pronged fast bowling attack, fortified by captain Ben Stokes, left Australia trailing on 132 for the first innings.

At lunch on Saturday, with England 1/59 and 99 ahead, the task facing Australia was starting to look formidable, even ominous. After tea, with England out for 164, Australia needed 205 runs to win batting last, the highest innings of the Test.

Head’s controlled aggression, substituting for injured opener Usman Khawaja, was pure brilliance. As the shadows lengthened, a win inside two days looked increasingly likely. The Barmy Army drowned its sorrows but, sportingly, cheered Head, as did the English team, warmly. Organisers lamented the loss of another big day of ticket sales for Sunday. And true to form, dour English critics such as Geoffrey Boycott heaped scorn and doom on their countrymen.

Both sides have some regrouping to do after the first two-day Test in Australia since 1921. For Australia, much depends on the recovery of Cummins and Hazlewood. A decision needs to be made on whether Head is the opener the team has been looking for. He can be just as lethal in the middle order.

After such an extraordinary start, fans will be hoping some of the remaining four Tests are close, with plenty of ups and downs for both sides, stretching across five days with thrilling finishes.

Every match should bring plenty of surprises. But, as the English fast bowlers settle into local conditions, the Australians will become more accomplished at dealing with their pace. And as we saw on Saturday in Perth, the men in baggy green caps have the talent, grit and determination, whatever the circumstances, to prevail.

Roll on the Gabba Test in 11 days.