Brisbane: Australia’s aggressive top-order batter Travis Head has admitted that his blistering century in the opening Ashes Test may have provoked England’s express pacers, including Jofra Archer and Mark Wood.
Head, promoted as a makeshift opener, produced a sensational counterattacking knock that dismantled England’s pace attack during the first Test at Optus Stadium in Perth. Chasing a challenging 205-run target, the left-hander smashed a breathtaking 123 off just 83 balls, featuring 16 fours and 4 sixes, guiding Australia to a dominant victory.
Speaking on Triple M Adelaide, Head opened up about the mindset behind his fearless innings and the reality of facing England’s fiery quicks bowling at speeds around 150 km/h.
“I’m very realistic that they had two blokes bowling 150 clicks,” Head said.
He recalled a moment when he inadvertently launched Archer over his head for six.
“I accidentally hit Jofra back over his head for six at one point… I walked back and thought, ‘Oh my god, why did I just do that?’”
Head also shared a humorous exchange with batting partner Marnus Labuschagne, who scored a composed half-century in the chase.
“Marnus came down yelling, ‘That’s unbelievable!’ And I told him, ‘Mate, get back to the other end. At any moment they can put a hole through me—they bowl 150 clicks.’”
The 31-year-old acknowledged that his aggressive approach may push England’s pacers to come even harder at him for the rest of the series.
“I don’t want to get on the bad side of them, especially in the first Test. I just want to go about my business,” he added.
Australia and England will now shift their focus to the second Ashes Test, a day-night encounter scheduled at the Gabba from December 4.
