Star Australian batter Travis Head resumed his passion for the Adelaide Oval by smashing his third century there, on December 7 (Saturday). In just 111 deliveries, the hometown hero reached his three-figure score. Following the historic century in the 2023 World Test Championship final, it was Head's eighth Test century and his second against India in the longest format.
After Jasprit Bumrah's double strikes, India was trying to drive things in the morning session, but Travis Head's explosive cricketing style put them under pressure again. Star batter Steve Smith and overnight opener Nathan McSweeney were both dismissed by Bumrah, but following Travis Head's unrestrained performance, the pressure subsided.
In order to assault the remaining Indian bowling attack, Head made sure he played out Jasprit Bumrah. The left-handed batter punished 22-year-old Harshit Rana as he was unable to handle pressure by smashing R Ashwin for three sixes.
Head's hundred on Saturday tied him with the great Donald Bradman and Matthew Hayden in the list of Australian batters with the most hundreds in Test cricket at the Adelaide Oval. With three hundreds and two fifties in just seven games, Head averages more than 80 at the Adelaide Oval.
Most Test centuries for Australia at Adelaide Oval
Michael Clarke: Matches- 10, Hundreds- 7 (2004-2014)
Ricky Ponting: Matches- 17, Hundreds- 6 (1996-2012)
David Boon: Matches- 12, Hundreds- 4 (1984-1996)
Allan Border: Matches- 16, Hundreds- 4 (1979-1994)
David Warner: Matches- 10, Hundreds- 4 (2012-2022)
Don Bradman: Matches- 7, Hundreds- 3 (1929-1948)
Matthew Hayden: Matches- 10, Hundreds- 3 (1997-2008)
Travis Head: Matches- 7, Hundreds: 3 (2018-2024)
Dean Jones: Matches- 6, Hundreds: 3 (1986-1992)
Marnus Labuschagne: Matches- 6, Hundreds- 3 (2019-2024)
Head acknowledged the cheers from the audience as he celebrated his 100. His family, including his newborn child, was in the grandstand supporting the Australian team, so it was a really memorable occasion for him. After reaching his hundred, Head appeared determined to pursue the Indian bowling assault and went into sixth gear.
However, Mohammed Siraj eventually removed him and ended his 140-run knock which could possibly be match-winning later in the game.