Joe Root was often seen face-palming on Day 2 of the first Ashes Test on December 9. After David Warner’s lucky run on the crease with Marnus Labucshagne came to an end, England bowlers looked to make a comeback but a rampant Travis Head stood in their way. Head launched a brutal counterattack on a sunny day at the Gabba and notched up the third-fastest century in the history of Ashes.
Head's counter-attack
Coming in to bat at no.5, Head saw two quick wickets fall on the other end as Warner missed his century and Cameron Green bagged a golden duck. After scoring six runs off 18 deliveries, Head decided to take the attack to English bowlers. He started scoring boundaries and scored run-a-ball. After on-debut Alex Carey’s wicket, the left-handed batter did not overattack and reached his half-century from 51 deliveries.
He took the charge against spinner Jack Leach with the ball spinning towards him. Playing with the spin, he scored several boundaries and reached the three figures from 85 deliveries. Even Pat Cummins’ wicket on the other end did not slow down his scoring rate. At the end of day’s play, he was batting on 112 off 95 deliveries including 12 fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 117.89. The record for fastest Ashes century belongs to Adam Gilchrist who scored a century off just 57 deliveries.
Record in sight
The 27-year-old will have a chance to score the fastest double hundred in Ashes on Day 3. Not more than two months ago, the South Australia skipper had also scored the fastest List A (50-over domestic tournament) double century.
Substantial lead
Australia are on their way to take a massive first innings lead with three wickets in hand and Head on a rampage. The hosts would like to add to the 196-run lead when they take the field on Day 3.
Leach turned out to be the most expensive bowler in England bowling lineup as the left-arm spinner conceded 95 runs from 11 overs at an economy rate of 95. Leach’s only wicket was Labuschagne who scored 74 runs from 117 deliveries.
The pick of the bowlers for the visitors was Ollie Robinson. The fast bowler took three wickets and conceded just 48 runs. Robinson was on a hat-trick in the 56th over getting Warner and Green off consecutive deliveries.
