Australia has taken a slender lead after the first Day’s play in Hobart, courtesy of a strong partnership between Travis Head and Cameron Green.
Head smacked his second century of the series and showed no signs of rust despite missing out on the fourth Test, showcasing his trademark counter-attacking style to record a swashbuckling hundred at almost a run a ball.
He came in at no. 5 with Australia 3/12 and in serious trouble on a wicket that was a bowler's paradise, but instead of retreating into his shell Head flourished with bat in hand to put the pressure firmly back onto the tourists.
Brilliant century, Travis Head. #Ashes pic.twitter.com/HMmfsM2tXX
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) January 14, 2022
Firstly with Marnus Labuschagne, before a bizarre dismissal that even Australia’s golden boy himself had to laugh at, and then with Green, Head leveraged the Aussies back into the Test to finish the day at 6/241.
“How’d you go today?”
— Marnus Labuschagne (@marnus3cricket) January 14, 2022
“Yeah, just got a good one” 🤦🏼♂️ #Ashes pic.twitter.com/boca763O3h
The South Australian was dismissed the ball after raising his bat to the crowd, catching a leading edge to scoop the easiest of catches to mid-on.
Meanwhile, Green made 74 before handing Zac Crawley his third catch of the innings with a pull shot into the deep.
The short ball works for England!
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 14, 2022
Cam Green holes out after a very good 74 #Ashes pic.twitter.com/HmKt2lHTKV
Alex Carey and Mitch Starc saw out the day's play.
In a big blow for England, Ollie Robinson didn’t bowl for much of the last two sessions after his strong spells to start the match, sending down just eight overs for the day.
While the 28-year-old was pictured supporting his back, it’s believed he couldn’t bowl more due to fitness concerns, with England bowling coach Jon Lewis saying the quick simply has to get fitter.
He was hitting speeds of 115 km/h in his final over of the day.
“It’s something that he will need if he’s going to perform consistently over a long period of time at this level, he will need to be a fitter bowler, 100 per cent,” Lewis confirmed.
“We’ve had those conversations, we’ve been pretty frank with him, now it’s up to him to go and do the work.”
"If he's going to perform consistently at this level, [Ollie Robinson] will need to be a fitter bowler"
— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) January 14, 2022
Bowling coach Jon Lewis on Ollie Robinson's fitness after he bowled just one over after dinner.#Ashes pic.twitter.com/c2KLpKZgVV
Rain brought an early end to play after the start was delayed due to the same reason, with Day 2 to now start at the revised time of 2.30pm local time.