Travis Head century destroys England as Australia win first Ashes Test in Perth
“Beautiful,” Head told Kayo Sports immediately after the victory, his voice still shaking from adrenaline. “They are a really good outfit. [Mitchell] Starcy led us with seven wickets in the first innings and we couldn’t let that slip away from us. “It was nice to contribute.”
Asked about the discussions that led to him moving up the order of opening the batting, Head said: “I was happy to do it… it didn’t bother me. The coach and the captain decided. I thought there were probably two or three options but I was quite willing to do it.”
Travis Head hits a six.Credit: Getty Images
“They have some serious fast bowlers and I was expecting short-pitched bowling. I just tried to catch the breeze. Once I got to 50 and 60, I felt the momentum. It’s a nice but scary place to bat. You spend a few sleepless nights facing the cracks and the likes of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood. This is a fantastic start and if it’s anything to go by, it’s going to be a great series.”
Just when the England team and many members of the British press thought the tourists had delivered the first killer blow in the five-match series, Australia took back control to turn the game in their favour.
There was no excuse not to win as England took 1-65 in the second innings and were ahead by 105 runs. Failure to do so will leave the tourists bewildered and searching for answers after the fast bowlers were mediocre when the game was in the middle and Head beat them with disdain.
The irony of Head being thrown into the air to be deployed was not lost on anyone. The only reason why Khawaja’s Test career will be revived in 2022 is if Head replaces him at the top of the order due to COVID-19. Khawaja scored twin centuries against England at the SCG and never looked back.
Joe Root’s century-long drought in Australia continued on Saturday; The England champions endured their weakest Ashes tour, falling cheaply for the second time in the Test as Mitchell Starc stormed to a 10-wicket haul for the third time in his career.
On a day punctuated by drama, technology delays and yet another collapse of the English batting, Root’s dismissal for eight – dragging a Starc delivery back to his stumps – reinforced the increasing scrutiny on the 34-year-old’s record in this country.
England lost 4-9 as Ben Duckett (28), Ollie Pope (33), Harry Brook (0) and Root departed in a wild and match-deciding spell. England were bowled out for 164 with a first innings effort of 172.
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Root had promised before the series that the Ashes would remain unfinished business in Australia, but his wait for a Test century on these shores now spans 29 innings and 15 matches since 2013. Nine half-centuries later, the three-figure milestone continues to elude him; A fact that Australian fans will continue to remind him of.
More to come
