Dominant Head moves into Bradman territory with fourth Adelaide ton / Photo: William WEST - AFP
Dominant Head moves into Bradman territory with fourth Adelaide ton
Travis Head continued his love affair with his home Adelaide Oval Friday by slamming a fourth century in as many Tests on the ground, with the aggressive Australian opener "in the best space" for years.
In doing so, he joined rarified company with only three other Australians notching centuries in four successive Tests at the same venue.
Donald Bradman managed the feat twice, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Leeds in England, while Michael Clarke did so at Adelaide and Steve Smith likewise at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
"Didn't think I'd get one, so to get four it's not too bad," said the 31-year-old.
His unbeaten 142 drove Australia to a 356-run lead over England to put them in control of the third Test and on the cusp of retaining the Ashes.
Head's crucial ton, his 11th, came off a composed 146 balls although he almost didn't get there, dropped on 99 by Harry Brook.
Undeterred, he slammed Joe Root for a boundary next over to bring up the milestone, dropping to his knees and kissing the ground in celebration.
He walked off at stumps with his arm draped around South Australian teammate Alex Carey, who played a key supporting role with an unbeaten 52.
"He's playing well, so he's probably kept me up and about there as the last 40 to 45 minutes I started to waver a bit. I was pretty stuffed," said Head.
"We don't really talk much, but you can sense his energy at the crease and in between overs you could sense his desire for us to get stumps.
"We dovetailed off each other really well today. Was a long bloody day, so nice to walk off with him at the end."
Promoted to opener in the second innings of the series-opener in Perth, Head scored a stunning match-winning 123.
After making 33 and 23 in the second Test in Brisbane, Head fell for 10 in the first dig in Adelaide and said he was striving for consistency.
"There's no doubt I want to be the most consistent batter I possibly can be," he said.
"When I go out there I want my teammates to know what to expect.
"In terms of mindset, I'm a lot different to others, I just love game day. I'm not one for the lead-up. You don't get runs in the nets, you get runs in the middle.
"I'm probably in the best space I've been in the last sort of four or five years," he added.
"Just enjoying people's company, enjoying playing, but also not playing and being away from that with family.
"I think that gives you a good perspective, and I've got a good balance."
Ch.Mayr--MP
