Travis Head once again underlined his growing stature in Test cricket with a commanding 163 off 166 balls against England in the fifth Ashes Test of the 2025–26 series at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Yet, despite registering his seventh score above 150 in the longest format, the Australian batter found himself amused rather than frustrated when reminded that he is yet to score a Test double century.
Speaking after his innings on Tuesday (January 6), Head responded in trademark candid fashion, calling it a “pretty s**t stat” before bursting into laughter. The comment quickly lightened the mood in the press conference and reflected Head’s grounded outlook on personal milestones. For the left-hander, substance clearly outweighs numbers.
“Beggars can’t be choosers,” Travis Head remarked. “I’d much rather score 160 or 170 than get out for 0 or 10. I probably had a couple of chances this series, but I’m not too worried.” His words summed up a mindset that prioritises match impact over personal landmarks, a trait that has defined his Ashes campaign.
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Head’s form becomes even more impressive considering his relatively new role at the top of the order. Opening in Test cricket is widely regarded as one of the toughest jobs, often demanding patience through testing spells and offering little margin for error. Head was pushed into the role during the series after Usman Khawaja picked up an injury, but the move has worked spectacularly in Australia’s favour.
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“I’ve enjoyed it. It’s been good, and I’m very pleased to contribute the way I have,” Head said after bringing up his 12th Test century. With nearly 600 runs in the series, he acknowledged that he has traditionally batted alongside Australia’s established pillars like Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and David Warner, rather than being the one carrying the load. “So it’s nice to pull my finger out and help on the other side,” he added.
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With Khawaja nearing the end of his Test career, Head hinted that continuing as an opener is a realistic possibility, even though Australia do not play another Test until mid-2026. However, he stressed that flexibility remains key. “It depends on match-ups and what best suits the team,” Head said, highlighting the selectors’ open-minded approach.
For now, Head’s focus remains firmly on contributing runs, not chasing records—and Australia are reaping the rewards.
