Travis Head once again turned the Adelaide Oval into his personal stage, producing a memorable Ashes century that underlined his reputation as one of Australia’s biggest big-game players.
Facing Joe Root, Head brought up his hundred in emphatic fashion, charging down the track and lofting a tossed-up delivery straight down the ground for four. The moment sparked wild celebrations. Head embraced Alex Carey, removed his helmet, ruffled his hair, and went down on his knees to kiss the turf as the Adelaide crowd rose to its feet. In the stands, his wife watched on, visibly elated, soaking in another iconic home-ground moment.
This century marked Head’s fourth successive Test hundred at the Adelaide Oval, an extraordinary run that highlights his dominance at the venue. His recent record in Tests at Adelaide reads like a dream sequence: 175 and 38 not out against West Indies in 2022, 119 against West Indies in 2024, 140 against India in 2024, and now 104 not out in the Ashes.
Beyond the numbers, the timing of the innings made it even more special. With the Ashes on the line and pressure mounting, Head once again delivered when it mattered most. It adds to an already remarkable resume in marquee matches, which includes a century in the World Test Championship final, a hundred in the ODI World Cup final, and now a defining Ashes knock at his home ground.
As the crowd’s roar echoed around Adelaide Oval, it was a reminder of why Travis Head is regarded as South Australia’s favourite son and one of Australia’s most reliable performers on the biggest stages. When the moment demands something special, Head continues to answer the call.
