A Travis Head century has capped off another brilliant day’s Test Cricket for Australia, who now lead England by 196 with three wickets remaining.
Head was the last man picked in the Test XI, but after beating out Usman Khawaja to be Australia’s no.5 the South Australian didn’t let selectors down.
While looking shaky early on, the runs flowed after overcoming his first few overs at the crease.
In fact, they flowed so quickly that his entire score came in the last session, having entered the tea break on 0* (not out).
He was particularly aggressive towards English spinner Jack Leach, however he didn’t hold back against the quick bowlers either, surging to his century in just 86 balls.
The 27-year-old brought up his century in a similar fashion to how he’d built his innings, smoking an on-drive to unleash huge celebrations across the Gabba.
It was just his third Test century and first against England, and will take the pressure off his spot in the team for the next few matches.
Even a full-toss that struck his hand and chin off Mark Wood late in the day couldn’t stop the state captain, who finished the day on 112 not out.
It's 💯 off just 85 deliveries for Travis Head!
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 9, 2021
What a counter attacking innings, entirely in the final session! #Ashes pic.twitter.com/AGOhkiAdOj
It followed on from the earlier work of David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne, who knocked 94 and 74 respectively.
Warner was undone by a brilliant slower ball from Ollie Robinson, while Labuschagne looked a million dollars before a surprise dismissal to Leach, caught at backward point.
Robinson and Wood were the pick of the English bowlers, while on the other end of the spectrum, Leach was smashed for 95 runs off his 11 overs, his economy rate of 8.64 something more likely to be seen in a T20 game.
There will also be plenty of eyes on Ben Stokes over the next 24 hours, with England’s star all-rounder appearing sore in the field and struggling to bowl after diving in the outfield earlier in the day.
Australia finished day 2 at 7-343 after not getting a bat on Wednesday due to rain and poor light.
Day 3 will again commence 30 minutes earlier at 9.30 am local time to make up for lost time on the first day.