Travis Head’s century halts England following a positive start with the ball in the final Ashes Test

Travis Head struck his second century of the series to help Australia recover from a perilous position on day one of the fifth Ashes Test.

Having missed out on the fourth Test after undertaking a period of self-isolation, Head replaced Marcus Harris and scored 101 runs from just 113 deliveries, in an innings that was reminiscent of his aggressive knock at the Gabba.

He arrived at the crease with Australia in a somewhat unfamiliar position of danger at 12-3, yet, that did not prevent the newly-appointed Sussex captain from dragging his side past 200 and pulling off the perfect counter-attacking innings.

Less than 10 overs had been bowled before the third Australian wicket fell, meaning Head would initially face the moving pink ball that had already seen off both David Warner and Steve Smith for zero.

However, the South Australian threw his hands whenever width was presented and lethally whipped straight deliveries into the leg-side, scoring 12 boundaries in total and throwing the England attack off their line in the process.

Head was well supported by Cameron Green (74), who himself played fluently through the off-side, to register 121 runs for the fifth wicket prior to the former tamely picking out Ollie Robinson at mid-off only one delivery after reaching triple figures.

Green would depart soon before rain halted play finding Zak Crawley at deep-mid-wicket when attempting to take on a Mark Wood short ball, leaving Australia on 241-6 going into day two.

Joe Root will be disappointed that a brilliant start to the day saw his side slowly fade away by the end. For the first time in the series, England had Australia on the ropes but then failed to fully capitalise.

Despite making five changes to the side from the fourth Test, Root won the toss on what was undoubtedly a bowler-friendly pitch with the Blundstone Arena hosting its first-ever Ashes match.

On his return to the side, Robinson found the edge of Warner while Stuart Broad saw off Usman Khawaja (6), England’s chief tormentor in Sydney.

Robinson continued to threaten the Australian top-order and removed Smith with a delivery that provided extra bounce, although, he would only bowl a total of eight overs in the day, suffering a back spasm which led to bowling coach Jon Lewis claiming that the 28-year-old must improve his fitness to succeed in the longest format.

“(Fitness) is something he needs to improve.

“He’s got to get used to understanding what it takes to be a full-time year-round international cricketer and playing that extra day, five days of Test cricket.”

Perhaps the most comical moment of play came when Marnus Labuschagne (44), the world’s number one Test batsman, somehow lost his footing at the crease and saw his stumps dismantled by Broad while finding himself spread across the deck.

The dismissal would have also come as a relief to the tourists with the Australian escaping an early dismiss as Crawley looked to claim the catch when the chance was an easier one for Root at first-slip.

Nonetheless, England are very much in the game and will harbour hopes of securing a consolation win.

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