The BRICS TimesTravis Head began another home Ashes series with a historic century. He blasted 123 runs off 83 balls to seal an 8-wicket win.
Travis Head proves his worth again in big moments for Australia. He plays his best cricket when pressure is high. Australia needed to chase 205 runs in the low-scoring Perth Test. The team promoted Head to open the batting order. He responded perfectly with a record-breaking 69-ball century. The pitch offered little help to batters. Yet, Australia reached the 205-run target in just 28.2 overs. They won with 8 wickets remaining as the first Ashes Test finished within two days.
Head usually opens for Australia in limited-overs formats. He also opens in some subcontinental matches. But at home, the team prefers him in the middle order. This match marked his first time opening in a home Test. The position change did not matter during the Perth chase. He batted like he was on a different pitch compared to others. This performance brought up his 10th Test century.
The management promoted Head to attack the bowlers. He put pressure back on England after their collapse on Day 2. Head smashed 16 fours and 4 sixes during his fast century. His aggressive play set up the team for a sure victory.
He finally got out on 123 runs from 83 balls. Australia needed only 13 more runs for the win. He tried to finish quickly but found a fielder off Brydon Carse.
Marnus Labuschagne also showed great counter-attacking skills. He scored quickly and finished with 51 not out off 49 balls. Steven Smith then hit the winning runs.
Head matches Warner’s world record
Head reached his century in just 69 deliveries. This is now the fastest century ever in the fourth innings of a Test.
It is also the joint-third fastest century in Australian Test history. Only Adam Gilchrist and Jack Gregory have scored faster centuries. Head matches David Warner’s 69-ball ton against India at the WACA in 2012. This effort is the joint-fastest century by an opener in Test history. He shares this record with Warner from the 2011-12 season.
Head heads-and-shoulders above other batters in Perth
This marked Head’s 10th Test century and his third against England. He loves starting home series against England with huge scores. He previously scored 152 at the Gabba in the 2021-22 Ashes opener.
Head started his innings with caution. He scored only 3 runs from his first 14 balls. He then hit his first boundary. After that, he needed only 55 balls for his next 97 runs. He attacked England’s best bowlers like Jofra Archer. He valued his wicket more than he did in the first innings.
Head’s score was the highest of the match. It was more than double the next best score. Harry Brook scored 52 in the first innings.
England collapse again, batters fail
Earlier, Mitchell Starc took 10 wickets in the match. He is the first Australian to do this in the Ashes in 34 years. Scott Boland supported him well with 4 wickets in the second innings. Debutant Brendan Doggett also shined. He finished with 5 wickets in his first match.
England had a lead of 99 runs with only one wicket down at one point. Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope looked set at the crease. But then they collapsed. England lost their next 9 wickets for just 105 runs. They went from 76/2 to 76/5 in just five balls.
