Travis Head's 83-ball 123 helped Australia chased 204 runs in 28.2 overs.
After Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland had rocked England in the second innings, Australia was asked to chase a 205-run target in the first Ashes 2025-26 Test that was played in Perth. While Mitchell Starc was named the Player of the Match for his 10-wicket haul, it was Travis Head’s scintillating innings that took the limelight.
With Usman Khawaja dealing with a bad back, Travis Head was sent as an opener, and he unleashed a brutal attack on the England bowling attack as he stormed to a 69-ball century and finished on 123 in 83 balls with 16 fours and four sixes as Australia won by 8 wickets in two days.
Head had added 75 runs for the opening wicket with Jake Weatherald (23) and 117 runs for the second wicket with Marnus Labuschagne, who made 51*.
Head's promotion was not a long-term plan but rather an impromptu strategic change that was originally suggested by injured captain Pat Cummins and then supported by coach Andrew McDonald and stand-in captain Steve Smith.
Head shared the behind-the-scenes conversation with his usual candor and humor.
“(When was it decided?) About two years ago! (laughs). Nah, honestly, I was happy to do it. It doesn’t bother me too much. We’d spoken about it—we know what England’s short-ball plans look like. The coaching staff and Patty (Cummins) had a few ideas, and this was one of them. Nice that it worked out today,” Head told official broadcasters after the match.
Smith confirmed the collaborative nature of the call.
“Travis offered to open, and I said, ‘Go for your life! That inning was out of this world,” Smith said.
Head added that several other options were also considered.
“Bit of everyone—coach, captain, a few senior players. A couple of names were thrown around. I was keen, and there was support for it. It could’ve easily been Marnus facing the first over too. But the thinking was right: get out there, trust the plans, and see what happens,” Head said.
Head walked out knowing England would target him with sustained short-pitched bowling.
“Yeah, I was expecting the short stuff. My plan was just to play to the breeze, hit with it when I could, give myself room, pull when it was there… They tested me plenty in the first 20 balls. I wasn’t sure how it would pan out, but today it came off,” he added.
Ben Stokes’ England were rattled with the counterattack launched by Travis Head, who admitted he never imagined a century was possible.
“Not a chance. Yesterday looked seriously tough. I’ve had a couple of 90s here and even threw one away. To get the hundred on a wicket, that can get pretty scary—it means a lot. I’m not great at taking it in… when I’m done, I just want to get off the field. Might’ve missed a few claps! But that reception… I’m very lucky,” Head said with a laugh.
For Head, the whirlwind of the past two days still hasn’t sunk in.
“Yeah… wow. What a couple of days. Not even close to processing it. Maybe tonight, maybe in a few days. It’s always nice to start a series well… And to win inside two days is massive. I almost feel sorry for the 60,000 who bought tickets for tomorrow,” Head concluded.
The second Test of the Ashes 2025-26 will begin in Brisbane on December 4.
(ANI inputs)