Australia began the Ashes 2025-26 marketing campaign with a dramatic eight-wicket win over England as Travis Head turned the primary Check right into a one-man present at Perth’s Optus Stadium. With Usman Khawaja sidelined with a minor damage, Travis Head has an opportunity to step into the highlight.
Chasing a troublesome goal of 225 on the robust Perth floor, Head began the innings alongside debutant Jake Weatherald, with Marnus Labuschagne subdued at quantity three. The left-handed batsman began cautiously, taking a couple of overs to regulate to the pitch and bounce.
Travis Head turns heads as Australia beat England in Ashes 2025-26 opener
As soon as his head was settled, he took management, hitting each unfastened ball and making brief deliveries with ease. Wetherald, 23, supported him properly and the 2 added a wonderful opening partnership of 75 runs. Head then punished England’s bowlers, reaching his fifty in simply 36 balls.
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Head smashed a superb 123 balls and accomplished his century off simply 69 balls. He additionally scored an unbelievable 50 runs with Labuschagne on the second day as Australia chased down the goal and took a 1–0 lead within the five-match Check collection, forming a exceptional partnership that left them unbeaten on 117 runs.
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Following Australia’s emphatic victory within the first Ashes Check in opposition to England, Head shared the fascinating backstory behind his unbelievable knock. Head’s opening match in opposition to Weatherald in Perth shocked many, however the plan was not made out of the blue.
The fearless batsman revealed that the staff trusted him to take cost of England’s short-ball technique, though Marnus Labuscagne was additionally thought of for the position. He stated this was a call they’d mentioned many occasions and it labored out completely for them in Perth.
Travis Head reveals how opening position got here collectively for ‘Ashes’ opener
Travis Head stated within the post-match presentation: “About two years in the past! (Laughs) No, to be trustworthy, I used to be completely happy to do it. It would not actually trouble me. We have talked about it. We all know what England’s short-ball plan is and we’re seeing a number of that in 2023. The teaching employees and Patty (Pat Cummins) had a couple of concepts and this was one in every of them. I am glad it labored out immediately.”
The star batsman stated it was the collective will of head coach Andrew McDonald, captain Pat Cummins and senior gamers like Steve Smith.
Head continued: “It was everybody, the coach (Andrew MacDonald), the captain, a couple of of the senior gamers. There have been some choices thrown across the room. I used to be enthusiastic and there was assist for it. Marnus may have simply been one over as properly, however I used to be proper in considering that. I went in there, believed within the plan, and see what occurs. And it paid off immediately.”
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Travis Head hails Perth knock as one in every of his finest knocks
In the long run, Head ranked Perth’s innings as his finest innings and was happy with giving Australia the proper begin to the Ashes collection. Nevertheless, the 31-year-old batsman joked that it might be disappointing for the 60,000 followers who have been hoping for one more efficiency in Perth.
“Yesterday wasn’t a fantastic day for us. At the moment was a bit robust at occasions… so to have the ability to get a win like this in two days is large. I really feel sorry for the 60,000 individuals who purchased tickets for tomorrow,” he concluded.
