England star’s Travis Head sledge backfires as ‘ongoing feud’ reignites in Ashes
An England star may be regretting sledging Travis Head as footage emerged of an exchange in the first Ashes Test that backfired.
Travis Head’s ongoing friendly feud with Ben Duckett continued during the first Ashes Test, with cameras capturing the pair in an exchange that might have backfired on England.
Head scored a 69-ball century to help Australia claim a remarkable eight-wicket win in Perth inside two days to take a 1-0 series lead, leaving England in all sorts of trouble.
The two left-handers sparked up a friendly rivalry during the 2023 Ashes in England when they began chirping at each other when one of them opted to leave a delivery through to the keeper when batting.
From Tests in 2021-2025, Duckett left only 1.90 per cent of balls as he became one of the poster boys for England’s attacking ‘Bazball’ style of play under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.
During Australia’s first innings in Perth, Duckett reprised the sledging by-play, brushing past Head and having words with him while the Aussie was batting in the first innings.
“Ben Duckett, Travis Head in conversation — doesn’t look entirely social or friendly — a lot going on,” Channel 7 caller Tim Lane said.
Watch Travis Head and Ben Duckett’s exchange in the video above
“They actually have an ongoing feud,” Ricky Ponting explained.
“Anytime one of them leaves a ball in Test cricket, the other one says something to him.
“It’s actually been a meow, cat’s meow back and forward whenever they’ve let one go.”
But Duckett might have regretted chirping at Head after the Aussie volunteered to fill in for the injured Usman Khawaja and came out breathing fire opening the batting in the second innings.
The South Australian bludgeoned 16 fours and four sixes, including one shot that went flying over Duckett’s head at deep third man.
To his credit, Duckett shook Head's hand and congratulated the Aussie after he was finally dismissed for a swashbuckling 123.
Head previously explained he and Duckett make cat noises at each other when they leave a delivery and don’t get bat on ball, in a running joke between two players known for batting rapidly and ticking the scoreboard over.
“He started it because our leave percentages were both very low,’ Head told Code Sports ahead of the Ashes.
“I don’t think he’d left the ball at that stage.
“So he hadn’t left the ball, and mine [his leave rate] was at like, five per cent or something silly.
“We joked about it and he left the ball, I came running in from the boundary, perfect opportunity.
“I get along with ‘Ducky’ really well, and I played [under] 19s all the way through with him and everything, good fella.
“And yeah, I meowed at him about being a cat leaving the ball. He pricked his ears up and had a giggle. “And he’d do the same, vice-versa.
“We enjoyed it, both play a similar style, both see the game in a similar way, and both just like to have fun.”
Head revealed he had floated the idea of opening the batting two years ago when David Warner retired — since then Steve Smith, Nathan McSweeney and Sam Konstas have all had a go opening the batting.
“I was happy to do it,” Head said.
“It doesn’t bother me too much. I thought England’s plans with short-pitched bowling and what they were going to bring … it was nice to be able to do a role that was needed today.”
Duckett scored 21 and 28 in the first Ashes Test and there is pressure on his opening partner Zak Crawley after he was out for a pair of ducks in the series opener.
Harry Brook topscored for England with 52 and the visitors have been criticised for not absorbing pressure to put the game out of reach in the second innings, instead opening the door for Australia by losing 4/23.
Head has emerged as the perfect answer to England’s Bazballers and his century has given selectors plenty to ponder in the 12 days between the first and second Test matches.
The 31-year-old is now a strong chance of staying at the top of the order alongside Jake Weatherald with calls growing for Khawaja to be left out of Australia’s XI.
Khawaja, 38, spent significant time off the field in Perth getting treatment for back spasms and would likely be replaced by all-rounder Beau Webster if he is dropped for the second Test.
The second Ashes Test gets underway in Brisbane on December 4 and England have been urged to play a two-day pink ball game against the England Lions to prepare for the day-night Test.
Pat Cummins is aiming to return at the Gabba, but Josh Hazlewood had already been ruled out of the second Test amid growing fears the paceman could miss the entire series with his hamstring injury.
Originally published as England star’s Travis Head sledge backfires as ‘ongoing feud’ reignites in Ashes
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