However, Travis Head had some other plans as he blasted a 106-ball hundred to put India completely on the back foot of Day 1 of the ‘Ultimate Test’ at The Oval in London.
The southpaw applied the ‘Bazball’ approach even before the start of the Ashes 2023 against England, to bring up his sixth Test hundred. In the process, he also became the first player to score a hundred in the WTC final.
His partnership with Steve Smith was nearing 250 with 11 overs still left before the end of first day’s play, and he had slammed 19 fours and six already at the time when this article was published.
Head’s hundred and aggressive approach took Australia past 300 in the 80th over of the opening day. The innings entirely changed the body language of the Indian players who looked helpless in the middle.
Here’s how Twitter has reacted to Head’s stunning hundred.
Congratulations Travis Head for completing Test Century in ODI Style🙂
Academy department of frauds welcomes you🙂 #WTCFinal2023 pic.twitter.com/DW7C68GD1i— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) June 7, 2023
It was at The Oval in 2019 that Travis Head lost his place in the Australian XI when Justin Langer took him for a walk around the ground. Here he is four years later, standing tall as the first-ever centurion in a #WTCFinal & proving that he’s here to stay. Sensational innings pic.twitter.com/MAagNOOejz
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) June 7, 2023
First Test ton away from home and what a time to do it! Well played Travis Head 👏🏽 #WTCFinal2023 pic.twitter.com/m5ClkOFD4Y
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 7, 2023
😭 Travis Head today: pic.twitter.com/s5NTzgnVDM
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) June 7, 2023
500+ runs loading with Steve Smith, Travis Head and Cameron Green century. pic.twitter.com/CpjyPVz0O5
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) June 7, 2023
In WTC Final history:
•Highest team score – 267/3* by AUS.
•Highest individual score – 107* by Head.
•First centurion – Travis Head.
•First 100 partnership – Head & Smith.
•Two players secord 50+ first time – Head & Smith. pic.twitter.com/FYX9LEzCu6— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) June 7, 2023
Strike-rate of 94 to score his century. Travis Head, you monster 🔥🔥🔥 #WTC2023Final #WTCFinal pic.twitter.com/seamCHoAQT
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) June 7, 2023
Steve Smith and Travis Head created history in WTC Final:
•They are first ever to made 100 runs partnership.
•They are first ever to made 200 runs partnership. pic.twitter.com/PHUNll2zun
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) June 7, 2023