• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Lyon Was Considered Over Travis Steve Smith Quips After Travis Heads Ashes Hundred

“Lyon was considered over Travis…”: Steve Smith quips after Travis Head's Ashes hundred

Aakash Saini

Travis Head and Steve Smith [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x]Travis Head and Steve Smith [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x]

Australia steamrolled the visiting Englishmen by eight wickets on Day 2 of the first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth to go 1-0 up in the five-match Ashes 2025-26 Test series. It is worth noting that the Australian team tried two different opening combinations in the match, after the opening pair of comeback man Marnus Labuschagne and debutant Jake Weatherald failed to score a run in the first innings on Day 1.

Left to chase 205 runs on Day 2, Australia’s interim captain Steve Smith employed Travis Head to open the innings over Labuschagne, who responded with a blistering Ashes century from just 69 balls.

Steve Smith says Australia “allowed Travis Head to open”

While speaking during the post-match presentation ceremony, Australian captain Steve Smith was asked to reflect the decision-making behind the idea of allowing Travis Head to open the innings on Day 2.

The cricketer jokingly responded that the Australian management even considered spin bowler Nathan Lyon at one stage to open the innings, before graciously “allowing Travis Head” to open for Australia.

Steve Smith said:

“Nathan Lyon was in mind as well to open, but we allowed Travis Head to open.”

Nonetheless, Travis Head, in his experimental role, blasted 123 runs off just 83 balls with 16 fours and four huge sixes to storm Australia to a comprehensive eight-wicket win on Day 2. The firebrand left-hander raced to his 100 from just 69 balls, thus smearing one of the fastest centuries in the history of the Ashes, and crafted a monumental 117-run partnership with half-centurion Marnus Labuschagne before getting dismissed to England pacer Brydon Carse.

Head scored just 21 in the first innings on the opening day as Australia folded up for just 132 to fall 40 runs short of England. Mitchell Starc dismantled the visitors with a 10-wicket match haul, which included his career-best figures of 7-58 on Day 1.

With a 1-0 lead in the bag, Australia will now face England in the second Test in Brisbane from December 4 onwards next month.