England fight back with ball but Australia take commanding lead in First Ashes Test thanks to rapid Travis Head century
ENGLAND endured another day of misery and self-inflicted problems in the First Test and it is difficult to see anything other than a heavy defeat.
For a time, Joe Root’s men dragged themselves back into contention by taking four wickets for 29 runs either side of tea.
But a rampaging century by Travis Head – who reached three figures from just 85 balls – swept the match out of England’s grasp once more.
In terms of balls, it was the third-fastest Ashes century of all time behind Adam Gilchrist (57 balls) and Gilbert Jessop (76 balls).
By the close, Australia were 343-7 and with a lead of 196.
David Warner rode his luck and scored 94, Marnus Labuschagne made 74 and Head ruthlessly punished a tired and wounded England attack in the evening session.
Whether it was dropped catches, missed run outs, Ben Stokes’ injury, Ollie Robinson’s cramp or having a wicket cancelled because of a no-ball, the problems piled up for England.
The visitors insisted for most of the day that Stokes was fine. But he struggled to chase the ball at full throttle in the outfield and his third spell lasted just one over.
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Robinson removed opener Marcus Harris early and was then on a hat-trick after dismissing Warner and Cameron Green with successive deliveries.
England’s other best bowler was Wood, who regularly tipped the speedo beyond 93 miles-per-hour and certainly kept the batsmen on their toes.
Wood removed Steve Smith, who averaged more than 100 in his two previous Ashes series, for just 12.
That came during England’s one decent period of the day when they reduced Australia from 166-1 to 195-5.
But Head swept the game right away from England with a thrilling array of shots.
Warner’s 94 was only one run fewer than he managed in the entire 2019 Ashes.
That was the series in which Stuart Broad teased and tormented him – but there could be no repeat now because Broad was left out by England.
The spectacle of Broad and Jimmy Anderson bowling at full tilt in the nets illustrated once more the bizarre decision to leave them both out.
Spinner Jack Leach played instead and his eleven overs were plundered for 95 runs.
Warner was bowled by Stokes for just 17 but TV replays showed the Durham all-rounder – playing his first Test match since March – had overstepped.
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It turned out the technology that picks up no-balls by feeding images to the third umpire had crashed.
In fact, Stokes sent down 14 no-balls in his first five overs – but only one was spotted by the on-field umpires.
Warner was dropped on 48 by Rory Burns at second slip off Robinson – a dolly of a chance that completed a miserable couple of days for the Surrey batsman.
Remember, he was bowled by the first delivery of the series on day one.
Warner should also have been run out for 60 when he turned the ball to Haseeb Hameed at short leg and, in a frantic scramble to get back into his crease, the Aussie opener dropped his bat and ended face down on the deck.
But Hameed’s throw from close range missed the stumps.
Warner and Labuschagne put on 156 for the second wicket before Labuschagne’s attempted cut shot against Leach ended straight in the hands of Wood at backward point.
Smith edged one of Wood’s thunderbolts and then Warner plopped a catch to Stokes at short extra cover.
Next ball, Cameron Green was bowled for a golden duck offering no shot.
Debutant Alex Carey survived Robinson’s attempt at a hat-trick and helped Head put on 41 for the sixth wicket.
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But it was Head’s 70-run stand with Pat Cummins which really turned the screw on England.
Cummins was caught by Hameed round the corner off Root’s off-spin but Head continued to flourish.
He even shook off a couple of blows from Wood – one to his left arm and the other to his chin after an unintentional beamer deflected from his glove.
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