Travis Head resumed his plunder of England bowlers on Day 3 of the fifth Ashes Test, smashing 163 in 166 balls as Australia finished the day on 518/7, leading by 134 runs. This was Head’s 12th Test century and his third in this series alone. A majority of Head’s centuries have come in the last three years and while he has had quite a few big ones, the 32-year-old has never been able to convert that into a double century.
Head has been dismissed as many as seven times between the score 150 and 175 – his highest Test total. When presented with that stat in the press conference after the day’s play, Head answered in a way that left the reporters in stitches.
“Beggars can’t be choosers. It’s a pretty s**t stat, isn’t it,” Head said with a laugh. “I’d much rather 160 or 170 than zero to 10. I won’t complain about that.”
Head had maintained a strike rate of over 100 for the majority of his innings at the Sydney Cricket Ground. He made England grind in the first session of Day 3, sharing a 72-run stand with night-watchman Michael Neser, before a 54-run partnership with captain Steve Smith.
Head had a big reprieve when he was dropped on 121 by Will Jacks from Brydon Carse’s bowling. He hit a short ball out to mid-wicket where Jacks put down a regulation chance.
He slowed his run-rate for a while but then accelerated after nightwatchman Michael Neser (24) was caught behind off Brydon Carse, ending a 72-run third-wicket stand.
Head hit the first six of the innings and then surpassed 150 with another boundary to take him to 153 from 152 balls. His tally was up to 24 boundaries and a six by lunch on Day 3. When he was out for 163 in the second session, Australia was 288-4.
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After Head fell on 163, Smith carried on and himself scored his 37th Test century. Smith walked back unbeaten on 129 off 205 balls and will be having Beau Webster for company on Day 4, with the latter resuming on 42 off 58. The pair will be continuing an eighth wicket stand that is already worth 81 runs in 105 balls.