Ben Stokes and co break 130-year-old record as England stoop to new low in The Ashes 2025-26

England attain unwanted record [Source: AFP Photos]

England bundled out for just 164 in 34.4 overs on Day 2 of the series-opening 2025-26 Ashes Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth. After getting blown away by Mitchell Starc, the Englishmen once again crumbled in front of the Australian speed demon, who was also joined by Scott Boland as the two fast bowlers picked up seven wickets between them in the second innings.

With England facing just 32.5 overs in the first innings on Day 1, their latest debacle ensured the visitors faced just 405 deliveries (67.3 overs) across both innings of the match, stooping to a new low by breaking a 130-year-old unwanted record.

‘BazBall’ fails on Australian debut as ENG faces just 67.3 overs

England faced just 405 deliveries across both innings of the first Test of the 2025-26 Ashes series at the Optus Stadium in Perth. They faced 32.5 overs in the first innings on Day 1 to aggregate a quick 172 at a run-rate of 5.23, and another 34.4 overs in the second innings on Day 2 to get to 164, thus setting up a 205-run target for hosts Australia in a low-scoring thriller.

Still loyal to their ‘BazBall’ persona, England’s attacking approach just fetched them a huge unwanted Test record of facing the fewest balls across both innings of the match, breaking a 130-year-old feat previously achieved in Sydney back in 1895.

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Moreover, England’s twin debacles in Perth against Australia now falls only below two instances of well over a century ago, when they faced 325 and 388 deliveries in 1904 and 1888 respectively, both against Australia. Here is a look at the list of least number of balls the England team has faced in a Test match.

Fewest balls batted by England across both innings of a Test:

Among all 20 English wickets that fell on Day 1 and 2 of the Perth Test, only Harry Brook managed to whip out a half-century, composing 52 runs from just 61 balls. Despite faltering for 172 in 32.5 overs and 164 in 34.4 overs, the Englishmen still maintained a blistering overall match run-rate of nearly five (4.98).

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