‘What an entertaining innings’ - David Warner hails Travis Head for fiery ton in Ashes opener

Day 2 of the Ashes 2021-22 opener saw Australia tightening their grip over the Brisbane Test. Having bowled England out for 147 in the first innings, the hosts ended the second day at 343/7, earning a lead of 196 runs. While many Aussie batters managed to make a mark, the undisputed star of the day was Travis Head. The southpaw made a mockery of England bowler and scored a counter-attacking hundred.

He took just 85 deliveries to reach the three-figure mark, third of his Test career, and ended the day unbeaten at 112. Speaking of Head’s blitzes, David Warner, who scored 94 earlier in the day, said he was thoroughly entertained. It must be noted that Head is playing his first Test in a year, after being dropped from the squad following Australia’s defeat to India in the Melbourne Test last year.

Travis Head brought smiles on our faces: David Warner

“England did bowl well but what an entertaining innings by Travis Head. We’ve got smiles on our faces. It’s got to be up there for him personally. He backed himself and backed his areas and walks off with 112 to his name. It was a tight battle with him and Uzzie (Usman Khawaja) but to come out the way he did… that’s the Travis Head we know,” Warner said after the day’s play at the Gabba.

For the unversed, Head had pipped veteran batter Usman Khawaja to earn a place in the playing XI. Many questioned the southpaw’s selection when the team for Brisbane Test was announced. It was majorly because the dasher hasn’t deliver consistently in Test matches so far. However, the 27-year-old silenced his critics with a blistering hundred against the Three Lions.

Meanwhile, Head’s stellar knock might well have knocked England out of the contest. With Australia’s lead touching 200 and three wickets still in hand, the visiting team batters need to bat out of their skin in their second innings. Moreover, three days of play is still left in the contest. Hence, a draw is highly unlikely. As of the now, Australia’s victory looks inevitable and it would be interesting to see if Joe Root’s men still have some tricks up their sleeves.