Travis has a cool Head, reduces England to Ashes in first Test

There is a common phrase we use in our daily lives: Don’t lose your head. On Saturday, one man answering to the name of Travis Head showed that his head was in place. Cool, calculating and cunning, Head blasted a century which was defining in many ways as Australia crushed England by eight wickets to win the first Test at the Optus in Perth.

This is not the first time Head was rocking. Uniquely, he had to adjust and attack, being propelled into the role as opener for the Baggy Green. It was forced circumstances but he enjoyed the ride, Indian fans have seen Travis head attack, land blows with the bat in the IPL. It does not matter whether the colour of the ball is white or red, Head will hammer it.

It was a carnage of sorts against the English bowlers. The same quick guys who looked so muscular on Friday were whipped mercilessly. Does one man win a Test match. Well. Travis Head from Adelaide, who turns 32 next month, was combust as he collared the bowlers. He took time to settle down. Once that was done, the flow of runs was different. From a trickle to a torrent and then deluge, Head was in command.

If the southpaw (left hander) needed a few overs to get his eye in, he then turned master. Head surveyed the field like a marshal and then propelled himself further. Yes, he had Weatharald, too, for company. But this was one-way traffic all the way as Travis Head got to his 50 off 36 balls. And then, he was in even more flow, as the ton (123 off 83 balls) came with tonks and heaves. For the record, he had 16 fours and four sixes in this assault.

What kind of a knock was this where the Englishmen looked impotent, Head knew well. He has taken on the fiercest rival well in the previous  Ashes series as well. In the Border Gavaskar Trophy Series as well earlier this year, Travis Head played a big role. People talk of all-format players. Surely, Head is one.

The most pure and pristine format is Test cricket, where Head conjured a class act. This kind of an effort not only makes you fall in love with the batter in command but how he creates magic which leaves you eclipsed. Head was cool, maybe fans inside the Optus were holding their heads and hearts in sheer disbelief.