Travis Head has smashed a Twenty20-style century to put Australia firmly in control of the first Ashes test, with England hit by an injury crisis during a miserable day two in the field at Brisbane.
David Warner (94) fell six runs short of a fortuitous century, while Marnus Labuschagne made 74, but Head kept the blowtorch on, with an unbeaten 112 from 96 balls that pushed Australia to a commanding 196-run lead over England's paltry first innings total of 147 at the Gabba.
Head's batting partner, Mitchell Starc, was 10 not out at the close.
On a day of sapping heat and humidity, the problems piled up for Joe Root's team, with talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes all but scratched from the attack by an apparent knee strain from the morning.
Paceman Ollie Robinson was also in all sorts of trouble and came off the ground in clear discomfort, after barely getting through one of his overs after tea.
That left an exhausted Mark Wood and Chris Woakes to prop up England's attack, but Head pounded spinner Jack Leach and Root to all corners of the ground.
Warner earlier marched to the brink of a century, after three reprieves in the field, but he was finally out for 94 straight after tea, undone by a slower ball from Robinson that induced a loose scoop to Stokes.
Robinson was on a hat-trick, after bowling Cameron Green next ball, when the all-rounder failed to play a shot, but it was only a brief rally, as Alex Carey and Head steadied Australia with a 41-run partnership.
Head had been under pressure to keep his spot in the middle order, with Usman Khawaja ready to slot in.
"England did bowl well, but what an entertaining innings there by Travis Head," says Warner. "It was entertaining cricket and great to watch, there's smiles on our faces.
"He was in a tight battle there with Ussy [Khawaja], and to come out there and play like he did... that's the Travis we know."
Reuters
