Australian batsman Travis Head delivered a masterclass in aggressive batting on Day 3 of the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, but it was his candid and humorous reaction to a peculiar personal statistic that truly stole the show in the post-match press conference.
A Day of Dominance at the SCG
Resuming Australia's innings, Travis Head launched a spectacular assault on the English bowlers, racing to a magnificent 163 runs off just 166 deliveries. His explosive knock, maintained at a strike rate well over 100 for large parts, propelled Australia to a commanding first-innings total of 518 for 7, securing a lead of 134 runs. This century marked Head's 12th in Test cricket and his third in this Ashes series alone, underscoring a rich vein of form over the past three years.
The 'Pretty S**t' Statistic That Amused Everyone
Despite a growing collection of big scores, the 32-year-old southpaw has never managed to convert a century into a double hundred. In a revealing post-day presentation, journalists brought to light a curious pattern: Head has been dismissed seven times between the scores of 150 and 175, with 175 remaining his highest Test score. When confronted with this fact, Head's response was both self-deprecating and hilarious, leaving the room in laughter.
"Beggars can't be choosers. It's a pretty s**t stat, isn't it," Head said with a chuckle. He quickly put a positive spin on it, adding, "I'd much rather 160 or 170 than zero to 10. I won't complain about that."
How the Innings Unfolded
Head's day was not without its moments of fortune. He received a significant lifeline when on 121, as England's Will Jacks dropped a straightforward catch at mid-wicket off the bowling of Brydon Carse. Capitalising on the reprieve, Head built crucial partnerships. He first added 72 runs with nightwatchman Michael Neser (24), grinding England down in the first session. After Neser's dismissal, he shared a 54-run stand with captain Steve Smith.
Head's acceleration was marked by powerful strokeplay, including the innings' first six. By lunch on Day 3, his tally included 24 boundaries and that maximum. He eventually fell for 163 in the second session with Australia's score at 288 for 4.
Steve Smith then took centre stage, crafting his 37th Test century. He remained unbeaten on 129 at stumps, with Beau Webster (42 not out) for company. Their unbroken eighth-wicket partnership of 81 runs has extended Australia's lead and placed them in a formidable position heading into Day 4 of the final Test.
