Head's Hilarious Dig Caps Australia's Emphatic Ashes Victory
Australian batsman Travis Head delivered a brutal yet humorous sledge to England's Jamie Smith following the tourist's disappointing dismissal, as Australia wrapped up a 4-1 Ashes series win with a five-wicket victory in Sydney on Thursday. Head, named player of the match for his sensational first-innings 163, couldn't resist poking fun after his own second-innings dismissal mirrored a poor shot from the England star.
Comparing 'Rank Shots' in the Dressing Room
Reflecting on Smith's first-innings exit, where he flailed at a Marnus Labuschagne delivery to be caught at cover, Head shared his thoughts with ABC Grandstand. 'I thought, I wonder what it'd be like sitting in their dressing room sometimes and playing a pretty rank shot,' Head said. He then quipped, 'I'll have a beer with Jamie Smith later and we can compare whose was worse.'
Smith's shot, which ended his knock of 46, was widely criticised. Former Australia coach Justin Langer called it 'beyond comprehension', while ex-England bowler Steven Finn branded it 'brainless'. The dismissal proved crucial, coming just before lunch on day two as Australia looked to take the new ball.
Head's own second innings ended in similar fashion. Chasing 160, he had raced to 29 off just 35 balls before mis-hitting a sweep off Josh Tongue straight up in the air for Brydon Carse to catch. The symmetry of the dismissals was not lost on the South Australian larrikin.
A Series Defined by Seizing Moments
The Sydney Test encapsulated the entire series. England captain Ben Stokes admitted their first-innings 384 was about 100 runs short, a recurring theme. Australia capitalised, with Head's century and one from Steve Smith helping them to 567 and a commanding lead. Despite a mid-innings collapse on the final day, Alex Carey and Cameron Green saw Australia home.
The 4-1 series victory stands as one of Australia's most impressive, achieved despite significant absences. Captain Pat Cummins played only one Test, Josh Hazlewood missed the entire summer, and Nathan Lyon was injured early. Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith also missed a Test each. Yet, players like Mitchell Starc, player of the series with 31 wickets, Michael Neser, and Scott Boland stepped up magnificently.
Steve Smith highlighted winning an Ashes series in England as a major future goal. 'It's something that was always on my bucket list,' Smith said, though he remained non-committal about his own availability for the 2027 tour.
For England, a period of heavy introspection looms. Questions will be asked about Brendon McCullum's future, the 'Bazball' approach, and a culture that saw multiple opportunities squandered throughout the tour, despite promising signs like Jacob Bethell's maiden century.
