Brisbane [Australia], December 15: Australia’s Travis Head etched his name in the record books by becoming the first batter to score both a King Pair and a century at the same venue within the same calendar year.
Head’s previous experience at The Gabba, Australia’s fortress, was far from ideal. Earlier in the year, during a day-night Test against the West Indies, he was dismissed for a golden duck twice, a rare feat known as a King Pair at the venue. However, when he returned to The Gabba on Sunday in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, he turned the tables in spectacular fashion.
Facing his favourite opposition, Head produced a blistering knock, quickly neutralizing the bowler-friendly conditions that had troubled other batters. With his explosive style of play, he took control of the game, attacking the Indian bowlers and driving the score forward with ease. His power-hitting left the Indian team struggling, as Head targeted his favorite areas on the field, leaving the bowlers helpless.
After a whirlwind 152-run innings, Head not only secured his ninth Test century, but also became the first batter to achieve the rare combination of a King Pair and a century at the same venue in the same calendar year. This century was also Head’s third against India.
Head’s remarkable performance against modern-day Test giants is reflected in his impressive career statistics. The 30-year-old’s 152-run innings pushed his total runs past 1,000 against India. In 13 Tests and 22 innings, he has accumulated 1,107 runs at an average of 52.71, with three centuries and four fifties. Across all formats, Head has scored 1,707 runs in 30 matches at an average of 47.41, with four centuries and six fifties.
His exceptional performances have included centuries in high-stakes matches, such as the ICC World Test Championship final, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 final, and the series-levelling pink-ball Test in Adelaide. In his last 11 innings against India, dating from the WTC final to the current match, Head has amassed 880 runs at an average of 80, including four centuries and two fifties, with a highest score of 163.