Australia opening batsman Travis Head achieved an important feat on the second day (Monday, January 5) of the fifth and final Test of the Ashes 2025-26 against England. The left-handed batsman completed 500 runs in the ongoing Test series during Australia’s first innings at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney.
England were out for 384 runs on the second day of the Test. Joe Root, who resumed with an unbeaten 72, scored his 41st Test century and took England to their best score of the series. The right-handed batsman scored 160 runs in 242 balls. Michael Neser was the best bowler for Australia by taking four wickets.
Travis Head becomes the first batsman to reach 500 runs in the Ashes 2025-26 series
In reply, Australia made a solid start, with Travis Head and Jake Weatherald adding 50 runs for the first wicket. The opening partnership ended when Weatherold was out LBW by Ben Stokes for 21, leaving Australia at 57 for 1.
Head continued to bat with confidence and soon completed his half-century. The left-handed batsman achieved this feat in 55 balls with a brilliant cover drive. Batting on 62, he later took a run to complete 500 runs in the series, becoming the first batsman to reach the figure in the ongoing Ashes.
Joe Root is second in the leading run-scorer list with 394 runs at an average of 49.25, followed by Harry Brook, who has scored 316 runs at an average of 39.50. Australia wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey has also impressed, scoring 291 runs at an average of 48.50 in six innings.
Travis Head creates Ashes history with explosive 500-run series
Head has reached a big milestone in his career by scoring 500 runs in a Test series for the first time. He achieved this feat in the ongoing Ashes, becoming the first Australian or English batsman to surpass 500 runs while scoring at a strike rate above 75 in the competition.
Head also became the first player since Steven Smith in 2019 to score more than 500 runs in an Ashes series. The southpaw has shown remarkable consistency and aggressive approach throughout the series, coming to the fore at a time when bowlers have become dominant on surfaces that are challenging for batsmen.
Most runs by a left-handed batsman for Australia in an Ashes series (since 2000):
570 – Michael Hussey, Home, 2010–11
523 – David Warner, Home, 2013-14
501* – Travis Head, Home, 2025-26*
Travis Head’s blitz puts Australia in command at stumps
Australia ended the day at 166 for 2, reducing England’s first innings lead to 218 runs. Travis Head led the attack with a aggressive, unbeaten innings.
Head punished loose bowling and picked up the pace early on. He added 57 runs for the first wicket with Jake Weatherald before forming a fast and fluid partnership with Marnus Labuschagne. The pair kept the scoreboard moving at pace and added 105 runs for the second wicket.
Labuschagne played several beautiful strokes before the stand was broken by Ben Stokes at the end of the day. Head remained unbeaten on 91 runs in 87 balls with the help of 15 fours. Michael Neser came in as nightwatchman and remained at stumps until play ended due to light drizzle, leaving Australia in a strong position.
Also Read: Sunil Gavaskar blasts England for poor performance in Ashes 2025-26: “There are only edges or holes in his bat”
