Australian batsman Travis Head has carved his name into cricketing folklore, achieving a rare feat that places him alongside the legendary Sir Don Bradman. On Friday, during the third Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval, Head scored an unbeaten century, marking his fourth consecutive Test hundred at the iconic venue. This remarkable achievement has tightened Australia's grip on the Ashes series, with the hosts building a massive lead over England.
Joining the Immortals: A Rare Batting Feat
By reaching three figures, Travis Head became only the fifth batter in the 148-year history of Test cricket to score centuries in four successive matches at a single Australian ground. More significantly for local fans, he is now just the second player, after former captain Michael Clarke, to accomplish this at the Adelaide Oval. This places Head in an extraordinarily elite group that includes Bradman (at the Melbourne Cricket Ground), England's Wally Hammond (at the Sydney Cricket Ground), Clarke, and modern-day great Steven Smith (at the MCG).
Head's incredible run at his home ground spans from 2022 to 2025, featuring dominant performances against West Indies (twice), India, and now England. His sequence of scores in his last four Adelaide Tests is staggering: 175 and 38 not out vs West Indies (2022), 119 vs West Indies (2024), 140 vs India (2024), and now an unbeaten 142 against England in 2025.
A Dream Realised on Home Turf
The moment of reaching his Ashes century was deeply emotional for the South Australian native. After lofting Joe Root's delivery straight down the ground, Head removed his helmet, kissed the Adelaide turf, and saluted the cheering crowd and his wife in the stands. He later revealed that scoring an Ashes hundred in Adelaide was a cherished childhood dream.
This innings showcased a new dimension to Head's batting. Rather than relying solely on his trademark aggression, he displayed notable restraint and maturity, patiently grinding through tough bowling spells before accelerating once he was well set. His century came off 146 balls and propelled Australia to a commanding position of 271 for 4 by the end of day three, holding a colossal lead of 356 runs—a position that effectively guarantees Australia will retain the Ashes urn.
The Big-Match Player Delivers Again
Travis Head has built a formidable reputation as a performer on the grandest stages, with centuries in both the World Test Championship final and the ODI World Cup final. The Adelaide Ashes Test provided another platform, and once again, Head delivered when it mattered most, with nearly 50,000 fans providing a roaring backdrop.
His impact on match results is equally impressive. Nine of his last ten Test hundreds have resulted in Australian victories, with the only exception being a rain-affected draw against India at the Gabba. His latest masterclass has not only cemented his legacy at the Adelaide Oval but has also put Australia on the brink of a famous Ashes series triumph, underscoring his status as one of the most clutch players in world cricket today.
