Head, whose inclusion in the final XI over Usman Khawaja was questioned by many former Aussie greats, cashed in the opportunity by smashing the third quickest hundred in the history of Ashes. Head got to the three-figure mark off just 85 deliveries.
Fastest Ashes hundreds (by balls):
Adam Gilchrist – 57 balls, Perth 2006
Gilbert Jessop – 76 balls, The Oval 1902
Travis Head* – 85 balls, Brisbane, 2021
Ian Botham – 86 balls, Manchester 1981
Ian Botham – 87 balls, Leeds 1981
Head added a crucial stand of 70 runs with captain Pat Cummins for the seventh wicket to keep the hosts ahead after the comeback by English bowlers in the middle of the day. Australia lost Cummins, which was also the last wicket to fall on Day 2 as the hosts reached 343/7 at stumps with Head (112 no) and Mitchell Starc (10 no) at the crease, leading England by 196 runs.
Earlier, Australia started the second day with the loss of opener Marcus Harris (3) in the sixth over of their first innings. Then, David Warner (94) and Marnus Labuschagne (74) paired up to put the hosts in a strong position. The duo went on to add 155 runs for the second wicket before Labushchagne was caught at backwards point in the 48th over bowled by Jack Leech.
Steve Smith was removed by Mark Wood for just 12, while Warner, who was all set to reach the triple-figure mark, was undone by Ollie Robinson‘s slower delivery right after the tea. The England seamer then cleaned up Cameron Green for a golden duck to provide a double strike. Debutant Alex Carey could only score 12 before a pull shot off Chris Woakes ended his innings.
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