Steve Smith admits Travis Head toyed with England in Ashes victory
Australia’s stand-in captain Steve Smith has noted that Travis Head’s impressive performance in their eight-wicket victory over England was akin to ‘toying’ with the opposition, reports BritPanorama.
The match took a decisive turn after England seemed to be in control, with Ben Stokes claiming five Australian wickets on the first day. However, Australia bounced back, dismissing the hosts for 164 before cruising to victory, with Head scoring a remarkable 123 runs off just 83 balls.
Smith expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, especially in light of his ongoing verbal exchanges with former England cricketer Monty Panesar. He revealed that the decision to have Head open the batting was made during the tea break, indicating a strategic shift following their initial innings.
“A great start and a two-dayer, which we love as a team when you are on the right side of it,” Smith said, attributing the victory to head’s exceptional form. He added that Head’s innings was one of the best he had seen, noting how he manipulated the bowlers throughout the match.
Bowler Mitchell Starc also praised Head’s innings, highlighting the excitement of the contest. Starc remarked, “Travis Head to take the game like that and come up trumps was something to watch!” He noted the high entertainment value over the two days, underscoring the competitiveness of both teams.
Head, reflecting on his performance, expressed his joy at contributing to the team’s success and acknowledged the efforts of his opening partner, Jake Weatherald. “It’s a good start. It’s been a tough two days,” he remarked, attributing the victory partially to Starc’s earlier performance, where he claimed seven wickets.
As the Ashes series continues, this match will serve as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in cricket — and how unpredictability can keep fans on the edge of their seats.
