Travis Head’s Blistering Century Stuns England in Two-Day Ashes Thriller
What happened in Perth felt less like the start of an Ashes series and more like a shockwave. The first Test was wrapped up inside two days — something that hadn’t happened in more than a century — and at the heart of it all was Travis Head, producing an innings so outrageous that it completely flipped the mood of the entire contest.
The moment Head walked out to open, replacing the injured Usman Khawaja, the tone of Australia’s chase was set. And what followed was a whirlwind. His century came off just 69 balls, and before England could even settle into their plans, the scoreboard was racing ahead. Boundaries were being carved through point, pulled off the chest, and lofted over the infield, as if he were batting on a different pitch altogether. By the time he finally holed out with only 13 runs needed, he had blasted 123 from 83 deliveries and left England looking absolutely rattled.
What makes this even more stunning is how the Test had unfolded earlier. England actually began Day 2 in control, sitting at 59 for one and building a lead of over a hundred. But what followed was one of their most dramatic collapses in Australia. Nine wickets disappeared in the afternoon session, and they were bundled out for 164 — a total that would have been even uglier if not for some late counter-attacking from the lower order.
Also Read:- A Peace Plan That Raises More Questions Than Answers
- Ashes Drama Erupts as DRS Call Sparks Debate in Perth
Mitchell Starc was everywhere. His seven-wicket haul from Day 1 turned into a ten-wicket match, and he even contributed one of the most athletic diving catches you’ll ever see to dismiss Zak Crawley for a pair. Scott Boland rediscovered his rhythm too, striking twice in the space of four balls and triggering a collapse that saw three wickets fall without England adding a run.
But all of that was just the backdrop. The real story — the moment that will be talked about long after this series — was Head’s innings. It wasn’t just fast; it was fearless. It felt like he was counterattacking England with their own “Bazball” philosophy but doing it with even more conviction. Fans in the stadium roared as he hammered four boundaries in a single over from Ben Stokes, and by the time the target of 205 was reduced to nothing, Australia had romped home by eight wickets with three full days unused.
Even Stokes admitted afterward that his team had been “shellshocked,” describing how difficult it was to set fields or slow things down when the scoreboard kept spinning so quickly. Head, meanwhile, was almost nonchalant about it, saying he just wanted to go out, play positively, and “see what happens.”
Well, what happened was a demolition — one that leaves Australia 1–0 up and England staring at some big questions before the next Test at the Gabba.
And for Travis Head, it was a statement. A thunderous, series-defining statement.
Read More:
0 Comments