England captain Ben Stokes admitted his side was left stunned after Travis Head produced a breathtaking 123 to power Australia to an eight-wicket victory in the first Ashes Test. The English skipper called Head’s innings “phenomenal” and said the defeat felt “quite raw” in the immediate aftermath.
Head’s 123 Powers Australia to Dominant Win
Chasing 205, Australia made light work of the target on Day 2. Head unleashed a blistering assault on England’s attack, smashing 123 and setting the tone for the five-match series.
Alongside him, Marnus Labuschagne stayed unbeaten on 51, while Steve Smith finished on 2*, as Australia cruised home with eight wickets to spare.
Head’s counterattack came shortly after a destructive spell from Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc, whose fiery bursts triggered a dramatic England collapse earlier in the day.
Stokes: Head’s Knock “Knocked the Wind Out of Us”
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Stokes didn’t hide his admiration—or the impact it had on his team.
“We’re a little bit shellshocked there. That innings from Travis Head was pretty phenomenal. It’s quite raw, quite fresh at the moment, but geez, that was some knock. It’s knocked the wind out of us.”
Stokes reflected on how the pitch demanded brave, attacking batting—something Head executed to perfection.
“The players who succeeded were the ones who took the game on. Anyone who tried to just stay there and occupy the crease found it tough.”
England’s Collapse Turned the Match
England had been well-placed at 65/1, building a promising second-innings lead. But Boland and Starc ripped through their lineup, taking four wickets in four overs, leaving England in disarray.
Boland’s ruthless spell claimed Ben Duckett (28), Ollie Pope (33), and Harry Brook (0) within just 11 balls. Moments later, Starc dismissed Joe Root for 8, crushing England’s hopes.
Stokes summed up the challenge of batting on such a surface:
“On wickets like this, you never think you’ve got enough. If you get in, you have to give yourself the best chance of going big.”
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