A blazing rearguard century from Travis Head, whose place in the side had been at the heart of the selection debate, has helped Australia regain firm control of the first Ashes Test after England threatened to turn the tide late on the second day at the Gabba.
Root quickly threw Chris Woakes the new ball as Head approached his century but the South Australian drove with authority down the ground to reach his century in just 85 balls, with 12 boundaries and a pair of sixes among his haul. He took off the helmet mid-pitch and roared with delight after a performance that should silence critics who felt his place in the team was best filled by Queensland veteran Usman Khawaja.
Head was the centre of everything late in the day. Soon after he reached triple figures, he was felled by a wayward full toss from England speedster Mark Wood , who had been bowling at or near the 150kmh mark for much of the day.The ball smashed into Head’s gloves as he moved them in front of his chest, then clattered into his grill as he fell to the pitch. Wood was quick to apologise and medical staff cleared Head to continue after some initial concern given the velocity of the delivery.
But the ruthlessness Australia had preached before the match – and delivered with the ball – deserted them as a series of soft dismissals gave England a chance to climb back into the Test before Head arrived to carry the day for Australia.
phillutton78 Classy left hander, just needed a run. Should never have been dropped last summer. Harris on the other hand…..
phillutton78 Except for Chapelli
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