India, Nov. 22 -- Travis Head continued his tendency to deliver in the clutch moments for Australia, saving his best for when the going gets tough and the pressure is on. With Australia set to chase 205 in a low-scoring opening Test of the Ashes in Perth, Head was promoted to the top of the order and he rose to the occasion with a record-setting 69-ball century. On a pitch that wasn't too kind to the batters, Australia chased down the 205-run target in just 28.2 overs with 8 wickets in hand as the first Ashes Test ended inside two days.

Head has been Australia's go-to opener in limited-overs cricket, as well as in certain matches in subcontinental conditions. However, when it comes to matches on home soil, he has been preferred to bat in...