Australia opener Travis Head scaled new heights on Friday after he registered the fastest ODI century by an Australian against Zimbabwe, during the second ODI in Harare.
Head reached the milestone in 75 deliveries, bettering the record of Matt Renshaw, who had scored an 86-ball century in the first ODI on Tuesday.
Head was dismissed for 112 runs from 84 deliveries by Wessly Madhevere in the 28th over. His innings consisted of 15 fours and three sixes.
How Travis Head scored his century
The century was Head’s eighth in ODI cricket. It was also his third-fastest hundred in the format. His quickest ODI century came against New Zealand during the 2023 World Cup, when he reached three figures from 59 balls, while his second-fastest came against Pakistan in 2022, when he scored a century from 70 deliveries.
Head had made a rapid start to his innings after Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and elected to field. He reached his half-century from just 32 balls, helping Australia establish a strong platform during the opening Powerplay.
Head and Mitchell Marsh put on 130 runs for the opening wicket, giving Australia an ideal start after the visitors were asked to bat first. Marsh contributed 53 from 63 deliveries, including three fours and three sixes, before he was dismissed by Wellington Masakadza.
After Marsh’s departure, Head continued his attacking approach alongside Cooper Connolly. The pair added 60 runs for the second wicket before Head was dismissed. Connolly remained unbeaten on 24 from 26 balls at the end of the 30th over, with Australia reaching 200/2. Josh Inglis was also unbeaten on six.
Head’s century came after he had endured a quiet outing in the series opener. He was dismissed for four in the first ODI, which Australia won by 59 runs after posting 294/8 and then bowling Zimbabwe out for 235. Renshaw’s 109 was the standout innings in that match, while Nathan Ellis claimed 5/31.
Renshaw’s century had previously become the fastest by an Australian against Zimbabwe, but that record lasted only a few days.
Till date, Head has played 80 ODIs and has aggregated 3011 runs at an average of 43.01 and a strike-rate of 105.68. This includes eight centuries and 17 half-centuries.
Australia entered Friday’s game with a 1-0 lead after their victory in the opening match in Harare on Tuesday. The second ODI will be followed by the third and final ODI on Sunday, also in Harare.
#ZIM #AUS #Travis #surpasses #Matt #Renshaw #fastest #ODI #century #Australian #Zimbabwe
