Travis Head is on fire as Australia gains a significant lead in the 2nd test

With a 141-ball 140 that put Australia well in the lead, Travis Head once again proved to be a pain in India’s side. Head had done more than enough to undermine India’s confidence by the time he was bowled off the second new ball by Mohammad Siraj. In the second session, he used an older ball and pushed the accelerator against a wearying attack. It was time to cash in, and Head did just that with aplomb, smacking Harshit Rana offside before scoring the fastest-ever century off just 111 balls in a day-night Test, quickly extending Australia’s lead.

As Bumrah and Siraj missed their lines for vital boundaries, he began by whipping and clipping them, even against the second new ball, which was India’s most potent weapon. During this time, India experienced a minor injury scare as Bumrah went down clutching his groin but continued to bowl. However, Siraj eventually got the wicket after yorking Head and then speaking with the batter. For India, it ended a frustrating stretch of play in which they had to work hard for every wicket.

Mitchell Marsh was caught behind by R Ashwin, who had been their best bowler at that time despite being blasted for a few of sixes by Head. Head then came in with Alex Carey (15), and the two of them put up 74 off just 80 balls before the latter was out caught behind. By the time the tea break arrived and Bumrah bowled Pat Cummins, the advantage had grown to almost 150. After having to work hard earlier in the morning, the hosts found the session to be ideal. On a pitch where he averages over 70, Marnus Labuschagne put aside some mediocre form to battle his way to a half-century. His 65-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Travis Head helped them offset two early strikes by Burmah. Bumrah’s catch of Nathan McSweeney behind with a nipping ball and Steven Smith down the legside shortly after put Australia in trouble at 103/3, giving India a lift in the morning session. Both Mohammed Siraj and Bumrah put Head to the test early on with the round-the-wicket angle, but Head prevailed. He broke that spell with Labuschagne in order to profit subsequently. Australia easily overcame the immediate threat and struck Harshit Rana for four fours in an over. However, Labuschagne ended up clipping a ball from Nitish Reddy to Yashasvi Jaiswal at Gully against the flow of play.

However, Head’s exit at 68 did not significantly hurt Australia as he continued to advance, reaching his sixth Test fifty against India and his second consecutive in the series. Additionally, it made sure that Australia led the first session. India lost a tight LBW call against Mitchell Marsh as the third umpire controversially decided that there was insufficient proof to determine whether Ashwin’s ball had hit the bat or the pad first. The broadcaster’s additional replays showed that the ball struck the pad first, but India lost the review, ending a dismal morning session that was made worse by the following one.