Head’s 112 make England heads spin

Australia firmly ahead despite losing Labuschagne, Smith on day two

Mohammed Rumman Khan | NT

Travis Head smashed a T20-style century to put Australia firmly in control of the first Ashes test on Thursday as England were hit by an injury crisis during a miserable day two in the field at the Gabba. Left-hander Head tucked into a weary attack to reach three figures from only 85 balls, the third-fastest hundred in Ashes history.

On a day of sapping heat and humidity, the problems piled up for Joe Root’s team, with talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes all but scratched from the attack by an apparent knee strain from the morning.

Resuming from 113/1 at lunch, Warner continued to ride on his good fortune. David Warner, bowled off a Ben Stokes no-ball and dropped by Rory Burns, made 94 and Marnus Labuschagne 74, when Ollie Robinson took two wickets in two balls; Australia were five wickets down and just 48 ahead.

Head- crashed 12 fours and two sixes in his 112 not out to take Australia to 343-7, 196 ahead after England were dismissed for 147 on day one. Head’s century c a m e on the back of a s u - preme 156-run stand from David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne.

Head, though, remains, and his presence could see Australia make rapid progress on the third morning before looking to skittle England once more.

Paceman Ollie Robinson was also in all sorts of bother and came off the ground in clear discomfort after barely getting through one of his overs after tea. That left an exhausted Mark Wood and Chris Woakes to prop up England’s attack but spinner Jack Leach and Root were pounded to all corners of the ground by Head. A rare mistake from Labuschagne opened the door for England to keep the door ajar thanks to a superb spell from Robinson, only for Head to all but slam it shut. They only have themselves to blame for their predicament. Warner could have been out on 17, 48 and 60.

England rue Stokes no-ball

England were left frustrated by a lack of assistance from the on-field umpires and a breakdown in technology following a dismissal off a no-ball from Ben Stokes that helped Australia tighten their grip on the first Ashes Test. Bowler error was clearly at play here, although it also transpired that Stokes had similarly overstepped for the three preceding deliveries. “Pathetic officiating,” said Ricky Ponting on commentary, reflecting the fact England’s returning vice-captain was ultimately unaware of the repeat issue until it saw a wicket scrubbed off.

No-ball technology not functional at the Gabba Test

The Gabba Test is now being played under old conditions, where only the delivery where bowler picks up a wicket is checked for the overstepping no-ball. The International Cricket Council (ICC) expects technology that enables the third umpire to check for no-balls to be available for the remainder of the Ashes series after it broke down ahead of the ongoing first test.

England’s problems laid bare

Missed chances and the ineffectiveness of Leach aside, England could do little more on a second day that exposed the inadequacy of their performance and decisions on day one. When a team is bowled out for 147, it seems churlish to rake over bowling selections, but the way Leach was singled out raises further questions over the exclusion of Stuart Broad and James Anderson, and leaves doubts over the part he could play in the remainder of the series.

Head proves his worth

Head was vying with Usman Khawaja for the final spot in the Australian batting lineup and justified his selection with a memorable century. Head reached 50 from 51 balls and needed just 34 more to reach his third Test century - only Australia’s Adam Gilchrist and England’s Gilbert Jessop have made faster Ashes hundreds.

‘Aus have been incredibly ruthless’

“I have no doubt Jack Leach is still the right man to be England’s spinner on this trip but Australia have just been incredibly ruthless today,” Ex-England fast bowler Steven Finn said.

(With inputs from agencies)