For the reason that tragic passing of Phil Hughes in 2014, cricket followers shudder at any time when a batter drops to the deck after being struck on the sector.

On Thursday afternoon, within the 82nd over of Australia’s first innings on the Gabba, Wooden delivered a 136kmph full toss, and Head had no time to react because the ball struck him on the glove earlier than ricocheting into his chin.

His teammates had an anxious look whereas the group shuddered after the wayward supply knocked over the No. 5 batter.

A fast Beamer from Mark Wooden hit Travis Head on his physique and he’s down.#Ashes #Ashes2021 #TravisHead pic.twitter.com/62eBp6LFrh

— Sravan (@Sravan_457) December 9, 2021

Wooden instantly supplied an apology as medics rushed to the bottom. “Little bit of a reminder of Phil Hughes there. I do know they had been nice mates.” – stated Brett Lee on commentary.

We’re glad Marnus Labuschagne discovered this humorous

“I’m unsure why he’s obtained a smile there? The 2 both aspect are fairly frightened…”

Travis Head was cleaned up by a Mark Wooden beamer, one thing his teammate discovered hilarious #AshesDaily | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/LEon4bmYSF

— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) December 9, 2021

Head reached his century from 85 deliveries with a pushed boundary off Chris Waokes, ending any uncertainty over his choice with the third-fastest Ashes century — an innings containing 12 fours and two sixes.

He recovered to complete unbeaten on 112 at stumps.

Warner had an enormous reprieve on 17 off a no-ball from Ben Stokes, one of many many occasions the England allrounder overstepped however one of many few he was referred to as for. Warner was additionally dropped within the slips on 48 and narrowly averted being run out as he scrambled again to his crease on 60.

However he ran out of luck after sharing partnerships of 156 with Marnus Labuschagne (74) for the second wicket and 23 with Steve Smith (12) for the third, lastly out simply after the tea interval when Ollie Robinson took two wickets with consecutive deliveries.

Robinson had Warner caught within the covers by Stokes after which bowled Cameron Inexperienced, who didn’t play a shot to a ball that hit his off stump, throughout a interval when Australia slid from 189-2 to 195-5.

New wicketkeeper Alex Carey efficiently blocked the hat-trick ball, his first supply in take a look at cricket, however was out for 12 as England clawed again to have the Australians at 236-6.

Head and captain Pat Cummins mixed in a 70-run stand that restored Australia’s dominance and accelerated the scoring as England’s fielding received ragged.

The partnership ended when England skipper Joe Root picked up the wicket of his counterpart, having Cummins caught at leg slip.

Head continued with Mitchell Starc and was on 96 when he tried a sweep to Root, was hit on the arm and Burns couldn’t attain because the ball ballooned down the leg facet.

He reached his century from 85 deliveries with a pushed boundary off Chris Waokes, ending any uncertainty over his choice with the third-fastest Ashes century — an innings containing 12 fours and two sixes.

Head was felled by a full-toss from Mark Wooden when he was on 105, hit on the glove and helmet earlier than falling to the bottom, however recovered to complete unbeaten on 112 at stumps.

“In the present day it went my approach, however loads of the work was executed by the highest order,” Head stated. England “received on somewhat little bit of a run. I simply tried to get some momentum again and as soon as we received that, attempt to benefit from it.”

Warner’s survival and Stokes’ supply stride have been the 2 predominant speaking factors on Thursday.

Warner received his first reprieve from the TV umpire after being overwhelmed by Stokes, bowling his first over in a take a look at match since March.

TV broadcaster Channel 7 confirmed Stokes had additionally overstepped the crease on his earlier three deliveries and never been referred to as by the umpires. The Ashes broadcaster later revealed Stokes had overstepped the entrance crease 14 occasions within the opening session on Day 2 and had solely been referred to as twice for a no-ball.

Cricket Australia stated a expertise downside on the Gabba meant that the third umpire, Paul Wilson, couldn’t evaluate TV replays of each supply to verify if bowlers have been over-stepping the crease, leaving it to the on-field umpires to make the calls.

Robinson returned the most effective figures for the England bowlers, taking 3-48 from 18 overs on an prolonged second day, and likewise having an opportunity put down.

Left-arm spinner Jack Leach picked up the important thing wicket of Labuschagne, however was in any other case punished by the Australian batting lineup and and returned 1-95 from 11 overs.

Stokes was restricted to only 9 overs and conceded 50 runs, showing to be struggling together with his health when he bowled late with the outdated ball.

England bowling coach Jon Lewis stated Stokes would have been capable of repair up his bowling run-up if he’d been referred to as for no-ball earlier by the umpires. Lewis additionally defended the make-up of the bowling assault, regardless of veterans Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad lacking choice and spinner Leach struggling in opposition to the Australians.

“If we’d all bowled to the most effective of our potential, we might have put Australia underneath extra strain,” he stated. “We took seven Australian wickets, we’re nonetheless behind within the recreation … however there’s nonetheless three days left on this take a look at match. I’m certain we’re going to return again sturdy.”