England’s dismal start to the Ashes series was compounded by Travis Head’s blistering century on day two of the first Test at the Gabba.
Left-hander Head tucked into a weary attack to reach three figures from only 85 balls, the third-fastest hundred in Ashes history.
David Warner, bowled off a Ben Stokes no-ball and dropped by Rory Burns, earlier made 94 and Marnus Labuschagne 74, yet when Ollie Robinson took two wickets in two balls Australia were five wickets down and just 48 ahead.
Head, though, crashed 12 fours and two sixes in his 112 not out to take Australia to 343-7, 196 ahead after England were dismissed for 147 on day one.
England’s three frontline seamers carried a threat for most of the day, but left-arm spinner Jack Leach was targeted for some brutal treatment, conceding 95 runs from 11 overs, including five sixes.
Stokes looked to injure his knee chasing the ball in the field and barely bowled after lunch, while Robinson struggled with cramp late on.
There was also a worrying moment when Head was struck by a rapid accidental beamer from Mark Wood. The batter recovered and the bowler was swift to apologise.
After only two days, England are facing the prospect of going 1-0 down, and know they will have to better their first-innings effort just to make Australia bat again. (BBC Sport)
