Travis Head's latest symphony of destruction

Steve Smith's one-word reaction to Travis Head's performance at Perth Stadium was "Wowza," spoken nearly an hour later, with Smith still awestruck.

The Australian captain's exclamation captured Head's impact as Australia wrapped up a stunning first Test victory, transforming from a difficult position to eight-wicket winners in two sessions, aided by England's batting collapse.

Head has become known for scripting extraordinary centuries in major finals, but his innings in Perth may be his most incredible statement yet.

The context magnified the achievement: the opening Test of a highly anticipated Ashes series, against an England side seen as a genuine threat and in control for much of the match, offering their best chance in 40 years to take a 1–0 lead.

Australia faced a target of 205, 33 more than the highest total in the previous three innings, with uncertainty over the opening pair after Usman Khawaja limped off.

Before emerging as a surprise opener with Jake Weatherald, Head declared in the dressing room, "Can't be that hard. I might as well go and get 'em…"

Head is often reduced to clichés like "see ball, hit ball," but he has repeatedly shown he is among Australia's best problem-solvers, with method behind his aggressive approach.

Travis Head – The great problem solver
©Getty

His ability to manipulate fields is key. England, under bowling coach David Saker, aimed to block the off-side and exploit his strengths, yet Head consistently pierced or cleared those fields, using his hands and wrists to direct the ball precisely.

Most importantly, his game awareness sets him apart. In his first Test as an opener in Australia, he started cautiously, scoring 3 off 14 balls, then blasted 97 off the next 55 by earning the right to dominate.

What followed was a brutal dismantling of an English attack that had seemed menacing just a day earlier. His straight pull six off Archer over long-on was a emphatic blow, both literally and figuratively.

Head bats in Test cricket the way England imagines they do—taking calculated risks, playing bold shots based on probability, blending instinct with thought, not ego.

England's approach—driving ambitiously on a bouncy pitch with little regard for consequences—shows how far they have strayed from traditional batting, while Head plays with bowlers' egos, crushing them decisively.

He embodies the principles England profess: batting with freedom, swagger, and entertainment, but never recklessness. For England to impact this series, they might consider emulating Head's method.

There's no guarantee it would work—few can do what Head does. When he delivers one of his performances, you're left awestruck, with little to say except, like Smith, "Wowza."