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Travis Head emulates Ian Chappell feat as Aussie fans erupt over fightback

The South Australian scored a dream century at home in front of an adoring crowd.

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·4-min read
Travis Head celebrates with Pat Cummins and Head raises his bat.
Travis Head (pictured) is now the second South Australian to score multiple centuries at Adelaide Oval after Ian Chappell. (Getty Images)

Travis Head has once again come to the rescue for the Aussie cricket team having notched his seventh Test century and become just the second South Australian behind Ian Chappell to score multiple centuries at Adelaide Oval. The West Indies left Australia reeling on Thursday with Shamar Jospeh continuing his dream debut having taken a five-wicket haul, which included the wickets of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne on day one.

With Australia reeling with the early wickets of Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green on day two, Head strode to the crease in front of his home crowd. He scored a century in the UK last year, but there is nothing like scoring one in front of your adoring fans.

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Head led the Aussie counter attack with an aggressive 119 off 134 balls that turned the game in Australia's favour. The innings wasn't without it's hard moments as Head nearly chopped the ball on multiple times before reaching his half-century.

And the No.5 didn't look back as he continues to play in his trademark aggressive style that has seen him become a favourite in the Australian line-up. Head has struggled this summer having surpassed his previous best score of 41, but his 100 now means he is only the second South Australian to score multiple centuries at Adelaide Oval alongside legend Chappell.

He is also the fourth South Australian to score seven centuries with 3,000-plus runs alongside Ian and Greg Chappell and Clem Hill. "He is head and shoulders above the rest with no one else in the side passing 45," Isa Guha said in Channel 7 commentary.

"He has had a lean summer with the bat, but just when Australia needed him once again, he has come home with a hundred," Damien Flemming added. Head is certainly an Australian favourite and fans were full of praise as they watched the No.5 come back into form in front of his home crowd.

Cameron Green struggles in No.4 position

A day after Smith flopped in his first crack at opening in Test cricket, Green also flattered to deceive as West Indies debutant Shamar Joseph clinched a special piece of history. Joseph removed both Smith (12) and Marnus Labuschagne (10) on day one after the tourists were bowled out for 188 - thanks to four-wicket hauls from Aussie quicks Pat Cummins (4-41) and Josh Hazlewood (4-44).

Joseph continued on day two where he left off on the opening day, despite being hit for back-to-back boundaries by Green in a promising sign for the all-rounder. However, it was Joseph that had the last laugh after tempting Green into a forward defensive shot and catching the outside edge to remove the West Australian for just 14.

Joseph captured 5-95 to become the 10th West Indian to take five or more wickets in an innings on Test debut. Australia were all out for 283 with a lead of 95 after both teams have batted.

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