Steve Smith has revealed Travis Head put his hand up to open before making history with his blistering century to help Australia win the first Ashes Test and in doing so it could spell the end of Usman Khawaja’s career. Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc both delivered when Australia needed it most after lunch on day two having tore through the England line-up thanks to some baffling shot selection.
Starc finished for 3-55 and Boland 4-33 as England set Australia a target of 209. But for the second time in the Test match, Khawaja failed to come out and open. The 38-year-old went off the field before the end of England’s innings and was clearly not fit enough, due to his back stiffness, to walk out with Jake Weatherald.
Steve Smith has revealed Travis Head (pictured left) put his hand up to open before making history with his blistering century and in doing so it could spell the end of Usman Khawaja’s (pictured right) career. (images: Getty Images)
And stand-in captain Steve Smith revealed Head volunteered to go out with Weatherald when they were debating who should step-up. Speaking to TNT Sport, Smith said Head took it upon himself as the leaders were having a chat.
“That was honestly one of the most incredible innings I’ve ever witnessed. He was just unbelievable from ball one. We came in from the tea break and we were tossing up who we should open the batting with. And Head is like, ‘Oh, I think I should do it’. I said, ‘Go for your life, mate, have fun,'” Smith said.
Smith later added: “We didn’t like how things functioned in the first innings with Marn(us Labsucahgne) going up top, and me batting three. So Trav took it on and played one of the great Ashes knocks.”
And Head did have fun. The left-hander smacked a 69-ball century to leave Ben Stokes and his bowlers helpless as they watched Australia chase down the total before the end of day two.
Head’s scintillating batting saw Australia become the first Test team to chase down 200+ total at more than a run a ball. In fact, Australia achieved it at a run rate of 7.23. And while all the talk about how England’s ‘BazBall’ would rattle the Aussies, it was Head that rattled England. The 31-year-old’s 69-ball century is quicker than any English batter in history.
Travis Head (pictured) scored a remarkable century to win the Test match for Australia.
Despite the talk of England’s aggressive batting approach, no batter in the ‘BazBall’ era has hit a faster century than Head. His century was also the equal-sixth fastest for an Australian at Test level. Cricket fans were left in awe of Head’s brilliance with Stokes admitting their game plan went out the window. Head finished on 123 off 89 balls, before he was dismissed.
Smith joined Labuschagne to see out the contest. But all the plaudits on the last day went to Head who mustered the only century of the Test match.
Has Usman Khawaja played his final Test match?
Khawaja is now facing the possibility of being left out of the next Test match in Brisbane after Head’s brilliance. Khawaja copped some criticism for not getting back onto the field in time during the first innings, which saw him cop a time penalty. This meant he was not to come on and bat with Weatherald to start the innings. In Australia’s second innings, Khawaja remained off the field having once again hurt his back in the slips. Smith said the 38-year-old was quite sore and it was an unfortunate scenario.
“He’s not well,” Smith said after the match. “He’s not moving particularly well in there, the old fella. “His preparation was the same as it’s been for every Test match that he’s played. There was nothing out of whack there by any stretch.
“Unfortunately, he just pulled up a bit lame early on in the game, and that happens when your back goes on you. I’ve been there myself when your back seizes up, and it’s not a nice place to be, so I can feel his pain right now.”
But Head’s move up the order could be the blueprint going forward. Australia knew they would soon be planing their future without Khawaja with the veteran in the twilight of his career. His form has also raised concern with Khawaja struggling since last summer against the quicks.
And his back spasms, timed with his form, could prompt the Australian selectors to immediately look to the future. Australia could opt to shift Head up the order, which would allow Beau Webster to slot into the No.6 position. Webster would add depth to the batting and add an extra bowling option for an attack light on their stars.
Usman Khawaja (pictured) failed to come out and open in both of Australia’s innings after suffering back spasms.