11.13am: Australia lead by 278 on first innings and England have an almighty task on their hands to save the first Test of the 2021-22 Ashes series. Realistically, the game is probably lost for them... Australia's task is to be merciless and show no sign of vulnerability heading into the second Test in Adelaide next week. Burns and Hameed will have 35 minutes or so to survive until the lunch break and will have to invoke their inner Strauss and Cook if England are to comtemplate escaping the Gabba level in the series...
Sampath from ESPNcricinfo's stats team: Fastest 150s in the Ashes in terms of strike rate: (where balls faced data is available)
106.29 - Adam Gilchrist in 2001, Birmingham (152 off 143)
102.70 - Travis Head in 2021, Brisbane (152 off 148)
Caleb: "England will be kicking themselves!! They were all over Head early in his innings, a couple of edges that another day would have carried, the running down to Leach and edging to a vacant first slip. He looked all at sea, they missed their chance, and boy did he make them pay!"
orkydd: "Sweaty palms now for England openers. Will they survive until the lunch break?"
TM Head b Wood 152 (258m 148b 14x4 4x6) SR: 102.70
END OF OVER:104 | 5 Runs | AUS: 425/9
- Josh Hazlewood0 (6b)
- Travis Head152 (145b)
- Jack Leach13-0-102-1
- Mark Wood25-4-85-2
Neeraj: "Look at Head's Wagon Wheel. Exceptional!!!!"
Mal: "I share your long-term doubts about Head, but this has been his best Test innings. If he's mentally strong enough, learns the right lessons and adopts the right attitude, this can be a springboard for a useful Test career - not a brilliant one, but a good solid one. He's shown he CAN succeed, now he has a series or two to prove that he WILL."
