Travis Head Reveals Why He Didn’t Like Hitting Jofra Archer for Six
Travis Head has revealed why he did not enjoy hitting England fast bowler Jofra Archer for six during his stunning 69-ball century in the first Ashes Test.
Head delivered a batting masterclass in Australia's second innings in Perth, producing the second-fastest hundred in Ashes history.
The 31-year-old went on to smash 123 off 83 balls as Australia cruised to an emphatic eight wicket victory.
With veteran opener Usman Khawaja struggling with back spasms, Head was promoted to open the batting.
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The switch did not curb Head's aggressive style of cricket, as he struck 16 fours and four sixes in an outstanding display.
However, he has now admitted he felt nervous about one of those sixes due to Archer's extreme pace.
Speaking on Triple M, Head said: "I accidentally hit Jofra [Archer] back over his head for six at one point and calmly walked back and marked centre and was like: 'Oh my god, why did I just do that?'
"Marnus [Labuschagne] came down and was like: 'I know you're trying to act cool, but that's unbelievable'. And he's yelling and screaming, and he's hoo-hah-ing.
"And I’m like: 'Mate, get back to the other end, at any moment they can put a hole through me, they bowl 150 clicks!
"I don’t want to get on the wrong side of these blokes, I just want to go about my business."
Adam Gilchrist remains the only man to have scored a faster Ashes century, having hit a 57-ball tonne during the 2006 series.
Head added that he had received a congratulatory message from Gilchrist after the innings, to which he replied asking: "How you hell did you do it quicker?"
Khawaja remains a doubt for the second Test, which begins on December 4 in Brisbane.
Even if he is passed fit, Australia's selectors may be reluctant to risk his fitness, given how comfortable Head was in Perth.
The next Test match is a pink-ball day-night Test, conditions that traditionally favour bowlers, especially during twilight hours.
That may tempt Australia to prefer Khawaja's more cautious approach at the top of the order, rather than Head's aggressive style.
As impressive as his century in Perth was, replicating the same approach in a day-night Test at the Gabba would be a far greater challenge.
During an appearance on The Grade Cricketer podcast, Head joked that financial incentives are a key motivator for Australia.
He said: "It's a big series bonus if we win.
"It's the Ashes. I haven't deep dived into it yet but [you'd imagine it would be lucrative.]
"We won a couple other ones [series] so I kinda know how it works here."
James Taylor