Travis Head ended Australia’s seven-year wait in the Ashes with an incredible innings in the fifth and final Test against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground. On Day 2 of the New Year’s Test, the left-handed Head became the first Australian in seven years to score 500 or more runs in a single Ashes series.
The last Australian to reach this milestone was Steve Smith, who scored 774 runs from four matches in the 2019 Ashes at an average of 110.57, including three centuries and a top score of 211 at Old Trafford in Manchester. Head is only the third Australian to achieve this feat in the 21st century. In the 2010–11 Ashes, Michael Hussey had scored 570 runs at an average of 52.53.
Most runs in a single Ashes edition in the 21st century
Steve Smith (Australia) – 2019: 4 matches, 774 runs
Alastair Cook (England) – 2010-11: 5 matches, 766 runs
Steve Smith (Australia) – 2017-18: 5 matches, 687 runs
Michael Vaughan (England) – 2002-03: 5 matches, 633 runs
Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 2006-07: 5 matches, 576 runs
Michael Hussey (Australia) – 2010-11: 5 matches, 570 runs
Ian Bell (England) – 2013: 5 matches, 562 runs
Travis Head (Australia) – 2025: 5 matches, 528 runs
Head was the star for Australia on Day 2 of the fifth Ashes Test, showcasing dominance with a fluent 91* off 87 balls, including 15 boundaries. Reaching his fifty from just 55 deliveries, Head anchored Australia’s response after England posted 384 in their first innings on the back of Joe Root’s 160-run knock.
