Ashes 2021-22: What An Entertaining Innings From Travis Head, Lauds David Warner

After skittling out England for 147 on Day 1, the Australians posted a 196-run lead on the second day at the Gabba in Brisbane. Although the hosts lost opener Marcus Harris to Ollie Robinson in the early part of the day, David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne ensured they crossed England’s score in their 156-run stand.

England tried to make a comeback after breaking the partnership between Warner and Labuschagne, who was caught by Mark Wood off Jack Leach’s bowling while he was batting on 74 from 117 balls.

Wood later got rid of England’s nemesis Steve Smith by bowling a short of length delivery to force the batter to nick behind the stumps.

David Warner missed a hundred by six runs

However, Warner, showing great intent with the bat, gifted his wicket to Robinson, chipping it towards mid-off where Stokes dived forward to pouch the ball. Warner fell six short of his 25th Test hundred.

As England seemed to find their momentum, South Australian batter Travis Head launched counter-attacking innings against them.

The southpaw mainly targeted Ben Stokes and Jack Leach with an array of strokes to bring up his third Test hundred (first in Ashes) in 85 balls. Head remained unbeaten on 112 as he plundered 12 fours and a couple of sixes to rejuvenate Australia’s innings.

Head was involved in a 70-run stand with his skipper Pat Cummins, who just added 12 runs in their alliance for the seventh wicket.

Travis Head backed himself: David Warner

Warner hailed Head for his belligerent knock and said he backed himself to justify his selection ahead of Usman Khawaja.

“They did bowl well didn’t they? They hit the target on a short of a length. We’ve got smiles on our faces. What an entertaining innings from Travis Head,” Warner told the official broadcasters at the end of the second day’s play.

“It has to be up there for him personally. It was a tight battle with him and Uzzie but to come out the way he did that’s the Travis Head we know. He backed himself and backed his areas and walks off with 112 to his name,” he added.

England were missing the likes of their senior bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad as both were benched for the first game. Robinson (3/48) gave the best performance for England so far in the innings.

Also Read: Ashes 2021-22: Very Special Innings From Travis Head – Michael Vaughan