Travis Head’s Stunning Century Revives Australia’s Innings After Early Wickets

Travis Head’s Masterclass Leaves India Struggling

Travis Head once again turned the tide against India, crafting a sublime century—his third in six innings against them. His unbeaten knock of 103 runs, combined with a composed 65* by Steve Smith, propelled Australia to a commanding 234/3 at Tea on Day 2 of the Brisbane Test. Their unbroken partnership of 159 runs underscored the hosts’ dominance and left questions lingering over Rohit Sharma’s decision to bowl first on a pitch that has offered little to bowlers.

Post-Lunch Surge

The contrast between the morning session and the post-lunch play could not have been starker. Where India’s bowlers had earlier dictated terms, Head and Smith capitalized on an aging 43-over-old ball to accumulate runs at will. Within the first hour after lunch, the duo added 54 runs without breaking a sweat, as India shuffled through its bowling arsenal in search of a breakthrough.

Jasprit Bumrah, usually reliable, began with promise, beating Smith on both edges of his bat. Yet, Head, unperturbed, responded with a ramp shot off a short ball, sending it soaring over the slips for four. Akash Deep, despite his persistent accuracy, remained luckless, eliciting false strokes without results. An LBW review against Smith briefly raised India’s hopes but revealed the ball missing the stumps.

Head’s Unstoppable Momentum

At the other end, Head batted with an air of invincibility. From the outset, India positioned a deep point to curtail his scoring, yet he found other gaps with precision. Ravindra Jadeja was introduced after 48 overs, but with no substantial turn on offer, Head dismissed him over mid-off with two confident boundaries. Mohammed Siraj’s short-ball strategy also faltered, as Head either pulled effortlessly between fielders or ramped deliveries over the cordon. With the field spread out, he milked singles to maintain his tempo, reaching his third consecutive fifty-plus score in the series.

After his half-century, Head accelerated dramatically, taking only 44 balls to convert it into a three-figure milestone. While Smith played the anchor role, Head’s dominance demoralized the Indian attack, which seemed resigned to waiting for the second new ball.

Morning Session Resilience

Earlier in the day, the Indian bowlers had shown discipline and control, conceding just 76 runs while removing three key wickets. Bumrah, as ever, was exceptional, exploiting the Australian openers’ vulnerabilities. He dismissed Usman Khawaja with a delivery that straightened against the angle and claimed Nathan McSweeney soon after with a shorter length ball.

Nitish Reddy accounted for Marnus Labuschagne, tempting him into an expansive drive to a full-length ball, only for Virat Kohli to pouch the catch at second slip. Despite these successes, India couldn’t capitalize further, with Smith and Head steering Australia to a position of strength by the end of the session.

Key Takeaways

The afternoon belonged entirely to Head, whose audacious strokeplay, combined with Smith’s resilience, tilted the scales firmly in Australia’s favor. For India, the decision to field first now appears increasingly questionable, as their bowlers struggled to extract life from the wicket. With the second new ball being their only hope, the visitors face a steep climb to regain control.