Travis Head's demolition of England in the 2025-26 Ashes did more than secure a 4-1 series win for Australia, as it also shattered a significant Test record held by Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli.

England Had No Answers as Travis Head Owns the Ashes Series

Head delivered a series that will be remembered for years as he played a key role in Australia retaining the Ashes Urn at home. From the very first test, the explosive batter looked unstoppable. Head finished the five-match Test series as the highest run-scorer, piling up 629 runs at a massive average of 62.90 and scoring at a breathtaking strike rate of 87.36.

The left-handed batter stepped up and took the game away from England every time he took the field in the 2025-26 Ashes. The fifth and final test at Sydney summed up his impact perfectly. Batting with confidence and aggression, Head completely dominated the English attack and smashed a brilliant 163 in the first innings of the New Year’s Test.

When Australia came out to chase 160 in the fourth innings, the star batter once again played his role, adding a crucial 29 and setting the tone for a comfortable five-wicket win over England at the SCG. With this win, Australia clinched the Ashes 4-1, and Head was awarded the Player of the Match award for his match-winning century in the first innings at the SCG.

Travis Head Surpasses Virat Kohli's Test Record

The Australian star’s match-winning performance earned him the 11th Player of the Match award in his rapidly growing Test career. With this, Head has now surpassed Virat Kohli’s tally of 10 Player of the Match awards in Test cricket. Among Australian greats, Head is now climbing into elite company.

Head has 11 Player of the Match awards from just 65 Tests, becoming the joint fifth player with the most Player of the Match awards. He joined legends Glenn McGrath and Allan Border, who both have 11 awards, and now he is edging closer to names such as Steve Smith (13), Steve Waugh (14), Ricky Ponting (16), and Shane Warne (17).

Head Enters Elite Ashes Club

As an opener, Travis Head also carved his name into Ashes history. His 608 runs as an Australian opener in this Ashes series place him among the best, sitting alongside iconic batters like Mark Taylor, Arthur Morris, and Michael Slater. Doing this in modern-day Test cricket, against a fired-up England side, made the achievement even more special.

Most Runs as Australian Opener in an Ashes Series:

839: Mark Taylor (1989)

696: Arthur Morris (1948)

623: Michael Slater (1994)

608: Travis Head (𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓)

592: Bill Lawry (1965)

It's special: Travis Head on Ashes domination

Head reflects on his performance and expresses his satisfaction with his show. He said at the post-match presentation, “It's special. Every hundred you get is going to be well cherished, but I'll probably hold the first two centuries in the first three tests when everything was on the line. I guess from a personal perspective, it's nice to finish a series in the fifth test. We'd run it again and make sure we don't take a foot off. What a great spirit we've had.”