On Saturday, December 7, Travis Head resumed his passion for the Adelaide Oval by smashing his third century there. In just 111 deliveries, the hometown hero reached his three-figure total, punishing India. Following the historic century in the 2023 World Test Championship final, it was Head’s eighth Test century and his second against India in the conventional format.
After Jasprit Bumrah’s double strikes, India was trying to drive things in the morning session, but Travis Head’s daring cricketing style put them under pressure again. Star batsman Steve Smith and overnight opener Nathan McSweeney were both dismissed by Bumrah, but following Travis Head’s unrestrained performance, the pressure subsided.
Day 2 Live of the AUS vs. IND Second Test
As he helped Australia quickly surpass India’s first innings total of 180 runs and get within 100 runs of a 100-run advantage in the second innings, Head hit three sixes and ten boundaries.
In order to assault the remaining Indian bowling attack, Head made sure he played out Jasprit Bumrah. The left-handed hitter punished 22-year-old Harshit Rana for his inability to handle pressure by smashing R Ashwin for three sixes.
Head’s hundred on Saturday tied him with the great Donald Bradman for the most hundreds in Test cricket at the Adelaide Oval. With three hundreds and two fifties in just seven games, Head averages more over 80 at the Adelaide Oval.
MOST TEST HUNDREDS FOR AUSTRALIA AT ADELAIDE OVAL
Michael Clarke: Ten games, seven hundreds Time frame: 2004–2014
Matches: 17 Hundreds: 6 Ricky Ponting Time frame: 1996–2012
David Boon: 12 games, 4 hundreds Period: 1984–1996
Allan Border: 16 games, 4 hundreds Period: 1979–1994
David Warner: 10 games, 4 hundreds Time frame: 2012–2022
Don Bradman: Seven games, three hundreds Period: 1929–1948
Matthew Hayden: Ten games, three hundreds Period: 1997–2008
Travis Head: Seven games, three hundreds Time frame: 2018–2024
Dean Jones: Six games, three hundreds Period: 1986–1992
Marnus Labuschagne: Hundreds: 3, Matches: 6, Time frame: 2019–2024
Head acknowledged the cheers from the audience as he celebrated turning 100. His family, including his newborn child, was in the grandstand supporting the Australian team, so it was a really memorable occasion for him.
After reaching his hundred, Head appeared determined to pursue the Indian bowling assault and went into sixth gear. Australia quickly reached 273 for 5 in 74 overs during refreshments in the second session, with Head still undefeated at 114 from 122 balls.
