Travis Head scores fighting century in second Test, how many Test centuries has Travis Head made, latest news

Having swatted away critiques suggesting he was not an opener in a blistering broadside at former players preceding the series, Travis Head has matched his words with a superb century in Gqeberha in a fighting bid to save the Test for Australia.

Head arrived in South Africa struggling to exert the influence Australia had become accustomed to on Test matches after a glorious Ashes but proved a pillar of resistance for 74 hours before falling for 121 in a blow to the nation’s hopes.

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The South Australian resumed on 87 overnight and was able to reach his century with two superb boundaries in the same over against the Proteas first innings wrecker Marco Jansen, with the milestone reached with a flick through mid-wicket.

It is Head’s first century against South Africa and just his second on foreign soil following the magnificent performance he recorded against India at The Oval in the World Test Championship final in 2023.

It is also his 13th Test century and fourth in nine Tests since being promoted to the opening role on a permanent basis in the second inning of the opening Test of the Ashes against England in Perth last November.

But with the Aussies still requiring more than 150 to make South Africa bat again on a rain-marred morning, Head’s celebrations were minimal, with the star raising his bat towards fans wearing Australian colours in the stands.

That, according to former Test opener Simon Katich, is understandable given the perilous situation the Australian team was in.

“(It was) a very subdued celebration, too, which is pretty significant. He knows it is not about the 100. It is about whether he can stay out there for long enough to save the Test for Australia,” former Test opener Simon Katich said on SEN.

“South Africa have gone away from their plans with him. South Africa is giving him exactly what he wants here.”

Head found himself chopping on when resuming in the Test arena after his heroics in the Ashes and had made just 95 runs in his six innings leading into his rearguard fight launched midway through Wednesday afternoon.

The struggles preceding the innings inflamed the chatter as to whether he should be opening, both because he looked unconvincing, but also because an argument could be made Australia was robbing itself of a matchwinner at No.5.

The dual-Allan Border Medallist produced the knock of a leader at St George’s Park, even if it fails to result in Australia managing to save this Test. Adding to the importance of the innings is that it showed the Aussies were up for the fight.

But his resistance ended after 190 deliveries when he dragged Wiaan Mulder on, though there was a difference to his recent dismissals given the delivery from the South African seamer jagged up into his ribs, prompting a defensive thrust.

Kayo Sports expert analyst Kerry O’Keeffe touched on the debate as to where Head is best suited to opening when saying he is clearly capable of performing in both positions.

“The verdict on Travis Head by a lot of cricketers, the man in the street, is that he’s not an opener,” O’Keeffe said.

“But he won that Test match in Perth opening. He was 87 red (overnight) here. There’s enough runs to suggest he is an opener, but he’s better at five.”

Former Test opener Usman Khawaja said that it is an interesting discussion given he feels the left-hander might well be best-suited batting at No.4, the position currently occupied by Aussie legend Steve Smith.

“It’s a funny one. I think he averages like 34 to 35 at five and (when) opening, obviously (it is) a small sample size, he’s still doing really well there,” Khawaja said.

“Smudge loves batting three. I know that. He likes getting out there sooner rather than later. So, Smudge would have no issue batting three if Travis Head had to bat four.

“I think Travis Head’s got a really good record at four, particularly for South Australia in Sheffield Shield cricket. There’s always options. It doesn’t have to be five. You can leave Greeny there, who’s done really well in his last few games.”