Shortest Ashes Test of 20th century: Australia vs England opener at Perth gets over in 847 balls

Australia vs England opener at Perth gets over in 847 balls (AP Photo)

The first Ashes Test between Australia and England in Perth concluded inside two days, as the hosts secured a resounding eight-wicket victory. The instance became the third-shortest Ashes Test between the traditional rivals.

Australia chased down the 205-run target inside 29 overs as a total of 847 deliveries were bowled over the course of two days. This in fact was the shortest Ashes Test in terms of ball bowled since the start of the 20th century.

Meanwhile, Australia and South Africa have played the shortest Test in history that produced a result. As per data available on ESPNCricinfo, the match was played in Melbourne on February 1932 and lasted for 656 balls with Australia emerging victorious.

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Shortest Ashes Tests (by balls):

Stand-in skipper Steve Smith was full of praise for his makeshift opener, who was given the nod to open in the final innings after Marnus Labuschagne added only nine when he was awarded the chance in Australia's first dig.

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Australia were no certainties to produce the dominating win that emerged at Perth Stadium, with England bowled out for 172 and 164. The home side did not perform any better with a disappointing 132 in their first innings.

But Head looked like he was playing on an entirely different wicket than the one which both side's fast bowlers feasted on for the better part of five sessions, clubbing four sixes and 16 boundaries in a single-session knock for the ages.

-with Reuters inputs