Polar opposites for Australia in terms of batting fortunes as Travis Head shines while middle order wrestles with itself.
While Travis Head cruises, Australia’s middle order wrestles with itself in absolute polar opposites.
For Travis Head, it’s difficult to imagine an Adelaide century being simpler than this. Even though his 2022 debut against the West Indies was somewhat stress-free, he still had to score the majority of his runs against the pink ball under the lights.
Until he was on 99, England never posed a threat to him. From ball one, a deep backward point was in place. He scarcely ever encountered a ball that posed a threat to the stumps. No over was bowled by Ben Stokes. Only ten were bowled by Jofra Archer. In his first fifty runs off of seventy-one balls, he only managed five boundaries. He really stepped between the wickets and hit singles to fielders in the deep.
The supporters hurried to the bar to place an order for another West End Draught beer from the area. Head waltzed inside the line and hooked one of them for six overfineleg during a brief bouncer onslaught in the final over before tea.
England didn’t bring the pitch in and give Head any trouble until 99. Harry Brook dumped him at the gully after he faced eight straight dots. But in the end, he threw Joe Root to the ground to start a statewide cheer for their hero. In an attempt to further win over his fellow South Australians and, as he put it, “get a rise from his teammates,” he removed his helmet and gloves, fell to his knees, and kissed the Adelaide Oval pitch.
after Head’s partner seemed to be off with the fairies today and told Weatherald not to review his lbw after it pitched well outside leg, Weatherald might be upset about Head’s mental state.
However, Head’s consistency and mental clarity currently contrast sharply with those of two of his teammates, Cameron Green and Marnus Labuschagne.
In mid-2025, Labuschagne was dismissed from the Test team due to his innings of 13 off 45 and the manner in which he was dismissed.
Green seems to be in a much darker and deeper hole. He has the best Sheffield Shield career average of all current Australian players and a better record abroad in Test cricket than both Head and Labuschagne.
However, Green has deteriorated as a Test batter in the intense heat of Australia’s home sun in November, December, and January—the only times when the majority of Australian cricket fans watch the game.
The cerebral clarity is lacking, but the talent is present. Similar to Labuschagne, the wastefulness of his dismissals in Brisbane and Perth—which he called “embarrassing”—became a burden in Adelaide. It has led to two timid dismissals.
The public’s annoyance at his preferential treatment over Beau Webster, who has averaged 34.63 in his past 12 Test innings but has missed the first three Ashes Tests, is causing pressure to build. Green’s home bowling average of 28.25 and his crucial wicket of Brook with the ball on day two only complicate an already perplexing Test career.
When Alex Carey came out and added an undefeated 52 by stumps with Head, who finished 142 not out, one can only picture how he must have felt. Even though Head acknowledged that Carey had kept him going when he flagged with exhaustion, test runs have rarely been simpler.
Head defies almost every rule in contemporary professional sports, making him a modern marvel. He repeatedly confounds opponents. Additionally, Head is making Test batting appear like a social activity in the backyard with his teammates, while other players in Australia’s lineup are now making it look incredibly difficult. And that’s why people adore him so much.