India, Nov. 22 -- England captain Ben Stokes admitted he was left "a little bit shell-shocked" after a blistering 69-ball century from makeshift opener Travis Head propelled Australia to an eight-wicket victory in a frantic first Ashes Test at Perth Stadium on Saturday.

Chasing 205 for the win, Australia stormed to the target on day two as Head smashed a breathtaking 123 off 83 balls - the fastest ever Ashes century by an opener - to seize control of a match that had see-sawed dramatically over its first three sessions. Marnus Labuschagne finished unbeaten on 51, with Steve Smith on two, as Australia took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Stokes could only praise Head's extraordinary assault, which turned England's hopes of a rare aw...