Travis Head Breaks 38-Year Old Record (Source: AFP)
Travis Head scored a fighting century for Australia against South Africa in the second Test at St George's Park in Gqeberha on October 22, 2026.
The left-handed batter reached his 13th Test century while helping Australia recover after a difficult first innings, and the stylish player also scored his first Test century against South Africa.
Travis Head’s knock was important for Australia, who were bowled out for just 99 in their first innings.
Travis Head Completes His 13th Test Century; Breaks 38-Year-Old Record
It is important to mention that Travis Head created history by becoming the first Australian batter in 38 years to score a century in a follow-on innings.
The last Australian to achieve this feat was David Boon, who scored an unbeaten 184 against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January 1988.
David Boon faced 431 balls during his long innings, helping Australia fight for a draw after being asked to bat again. Nearly four decades later, Travis Head has joined him with his performance against South Africa in the 2nd Test.
Travis Head completed his hundred in the 59.5th over by hitting a boundary off Marco Jansen. The South African pacer bowled a full delivery on the leg stump, and Head flicked it through the midwicket region for four runs.
Head's century came off 151 balls, making it his slowest Test hundred since 2019.
Other Records Created By Travis Head
It is worth noting that this was also only Travis Head's second Test century outside Australia. His previous overseas hundred was the 163 he scored against India in the 2023 World Test Championship final at The Oval in England.
Most 100s in WTC:
- 23 - Joe Root (England)
- 14 - Steve Smith (Australia)
- 12 - Travis Head (Australia)*
- 11 - Marnus Labuschagne (Australia), Kane Williamson (New Zealand)
- 10 - Shubman Gill (India)
Head also became the first Australian to score a century in the third or fourth innings of a Test against South Africa since David Warner’s 145 at Cape Town in 2014.
However, Travis Head's job is not finished after reaching the century. Australia still needed to continue their fight to avoid defeat, making every run important on the final day.
