Ashes 2023: Really pleased with how I started, says Travis Head after scoring fifty on second day’s play

Australia’s in-form batter Travis Head was delighted with the way he started on the second day of the ongoing first Ashes Test match against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Head scored 50 off just 63 balls with the help of eight fours and one six as he continued his rich form.

The left-hander played in an aggressive manner as he scored his runs at a strike rate of 79.37. In fact, Australia was under the cosh at 67-3 when Head joined forces with opener Usman Khawaja. However, he and Khawaja were able to bail Australia out of jail as they added 81 runs for the fourth wicket, with Head doing the lion’s share of the scoring.

“It has been challenging throughout and we knew that. We have just been saying two brilliant days of cricket so far. It has set the tone for what is going to be an amazing five or six weeks. We are right in it,” said Head while talking to Sky Sports.

Head revealed that the plan was to score on the balls which were in the slot for him and he wanted to capitalize on the same.

“I was really pleased with how I started. A lot more of a positive approach. I have always said if the ball presents a score, I want to score off it. Today I felt like I was able to capitalise on them and then face some good balls. It is a good challenge,” Head added.

On the other hand, Usman Khawaja scored his maiden Test century in the English conditions. The left-hander top-scored for Australia with 141 as the visitors managed 386 in response to England’s 393-8.

“A huge weight off his shoulders. I guess as an international cricketer, everyone talks about 100s overseas and he hasn’t had the greatest of times leading into this series. I know he is determined and once he got through that new ball on that wicket, he played beautifully,” said Head.

Apart from adding crucial partnerships with Travis Head and Cameron Green, Khawaja added a brilliant alliance of 118 runs with Alex Carey as the wicket-keeper bat scored 66 runs.

England took a lead of seven runs after the conclusion of the first innings.