Travis Head hits century 'Australia will remember forever' as first Test won in two days

Australia has claimed a sensational first Test victory after Travis Head inspired a dramatic change of momentum in Perth with an iconic century.

The left-hander was forced to open due to Usman Khawaja's injury and took the game away from England with a rearguard performance.

On a drama-filled day two, Australia was set 205 to win after England was bowled out for 164.

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AS IT HAPPENED: Australia vs England first Test, day two

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Earlier, the two biggest talking points from England's innings were Mitchell Starc's brilliant one-handed catch to dismiss Zak Crawley and the marathon process behind Jamie Smith's departure.

Smith was given not out off Brendan Doggett's bowling when he was on 15 after the Aussies appealed for caught behind off a pull shot.

Australia sent it upstairs for a review that went well over four minutes.

A spike was on the ultra edge, but there appeared to be either a gap between bat and ball when it came. Either that or there was a delay in the technology.

Eventually, the evidence was ruled conclusive enough for the decision to be overturned.

What didn't help Smith was that he started walking when the spike first appeared.

"I think Smith gave it away then (by walking off)," Mark Waugh said on Fox Cricket.

The decision left England at 7-104 before Brydon Carse (20) and Gus Atkinson (37) combined for a crucial 50-run partnership.

Eventually, England was finished off, with Mitch Starc and Doggett taking three wickets each. Scott Boland had the best figures at 4-33.

The drama for Australia was that Khawaja couldn't open. Khawaja had jumped for a catch at first slip, but it went over his head. The attempt flared up his back issue, leading to his leaving the field.

Instead, Head walked out to open with Jake Weatherald, and it was an inspired decision.

The two men combined for an opening stand of 75 before Weatherald was caught on 23.

Weatherald's departure didn't halt the momentum of Head, who hit Ben Stokes for 17 off an over in a brilliant display of counter-attacking cricket.

Head then brought up his century off 69 balls with England unable to find an answer for him.

"One of the great Ashes hundreds," commentator Mark Howard said on Fox Cricket.

Head didn't stop his carnage and helped Marnus Labuschagne back into international form at the other end too.

The left-hander was eventually caught near the boundary by Ollie Pope for 123. Pope copped boos from the crowd as the ball hung in the air, but managed to hold on to it.

Labuschagne gave him a big hug before he departed as cheers sounded across Perth Stadium.

"Unbelievable, in this game runs have been scarce, but he's come out and taken his team to the finish line," Waugh said.

Footage then panned to Australia's dressing room with Pat Cummins clapping and smiling from ear to ear.

"Australia will remember that forever," David Warner said.

Stand-in captain Steve Smith hit the winning runs with a drive through cover to deliver what previously seemed an unlikely Ashes victory.

Labuschagne finished 51 not out while Smith was on 2. The final result was an eight-wicket win.