Australian cricketer Travis Head spearheaded vibrant celebrations after the national team clinched the Ashes urn with a decisive 82-run victory over England in Adelaide. The win, secured within just 11 days of cricket across three Tests, prompted a unique and humorous tribute from the hometown hero.
The Birth of 'Ronball' in the Dressing Room
Following the triumphant win on December 21, 2025, the Australian team returned to their dressing room where Travis Head, who scored a crucial second-innings century, distributed special commemorative T-shirts. Each fresh white shirt featured the word 'Ronball' in large red letters across the front, accompanied by a cartoon of chief coach Andrew McDonald, who is affectionately nicknamed 'Ronald'.
This new term is widely seen as the Australian squad's direct and playful response to England's much-hyped 'Bazball' approach, which failed to deliver in the first three Tests of the series. According to reports, the 'Ronball' moniker was first spotted during the 2022 Adelaide Test against the West Indies, noted on a piece of paper in the team's viewing area.
Celebrations Spill Onto the Adelaide Oval
The festivities, led by the energetic Head, did not stop at the T-shirts. As the team moved to the western side of the Adelaide Oval, Head, the team's makeshift opener who has now solidified his position, served jugs of his signature 'Headliner Spritz' cocktail—a mix of apple, watermelon, and gin.
Interestingly, the only person not wearing a 'Ronball' T-shirt was coach Andrew McDonald himself. As evening descended, the entire squad, including injured spinner Nathan Lyon—who was present without his crutches—returned to the middle of the ground.
A Poignant and Joyous Finale
Wicketkeeper Alex Carey, the team's designated songmaster, played 'True Blue' on a portable speaker. The song, performed live by John Williamson before the Test in tribute to the victims of the Bondi beach shooting, added a layer of solemnity to the occasion. Carey then kissed the turf, mirroring Head's gesture after his century.
The celebration reached its peak when skipper Pat Cummins and batsman Marnus Labuschagne sprayed beer and cocktails over Head's 'Ronball' shirt. The team then gathered to sing their traditional victory song, 'Under the Southern Cross I Stand', marking the retention of the Ashes urn for at least another 18 months.
Despite the short four-day break before the fourth Test in Melbourne, the team was determined to celebrate what captain Pat Cummins called a "straight-sets" win, especially after being labelled the weakest Australian side since 2010-11. Travis Head's enthusiastic role as the party starter might even see him miss a training session or two ahead of the Boxing Day Test.
