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Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne thwart England, break huge WTC record for Australia

Aakash Saini

Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne [Source: AFP Photos]Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne [Source: AFP Photos]

Australia’s 2023 World Cup final heroes Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne dictated terms with England on Day 2 of the fifth Ashes 2025-26 Test with a pacey 105-run partnership in less than 19 overs. While Travis raced to 91* from 87 balls in the process, Labuschagne compiled 48 from 68 balls with seven boundaries at number three at the brink of stumps.

Both cricketers also scaled a huge partnership record for Australia in WTC Tests in the process, eclipsing Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith in an elite list.

Marnus Labuschagne now features thrice among Australia’s elite WTC stands

Australia’s firebrand opener Travis Head and reliable number three Marnus Labuschagne shared a 105-run partnership for the second wicket on Day 2 of the fifth Ashes 2025-26 Test at the SCG after the early loss of opening batter Jake Weatherald for just 21.

Both Head and Labuschagne consumed just 112 deliveries during their glitzy stand to lift Australia from 57-1 to 162-1 shortly before stumps. Through the course of their counterattacking partnership against England, the two cricketers also surpassed Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja to become Australia’s fourth-most proficient pair in World Test Championship (WTC) history. Here is a look at five Australian pairs with most partnership runs in WTC matches.

Most Partnership Runs for Australia in WTC:

Pair
Runs
Marnus Labuschagne & Steve Smith2,571
Travis Head & Steve Smith1,760
Marnus Labuschagne & David Warner1,695
Travis Head & Marnus Labuschagne1,676
Usman Khawaja & Steve Smith1,649

Marnus Labuschagne was eventually dismissed by England captain Ben Stokes at the twilight stages of the day before Australia reached 166-2 in 34.1 overs.

Earlier in the match, England aggregated 384 runs in 97.3 overs, largely owing to Joe Root’s sublime 160-run knock from 242 balls with 15 elegant boundaries. Harry Brook also clattered a swift 84 off 97 balls as the two cricketers shared a monumental 169-run partnership for the fourth wicket.