Travis Head struck on head by Mark Wood beamer in scary Ashes moment

Australia batter Travis Head was floored by beamer from England quick Mark Wood which struck him on the chin in the first Ashes Test at the Gabba.

In the first over with the second new ball, Wood bowled a beamer which ricocheted off Head's glove and hit him on the helmet.

Head was left in a heap on the ground, but he was able to get back to his feet relatively quickly as Wood offered an apology and he was able to resume his innings.

Speaking on BBC Test Match Special, former England spinner Phil Tufnell said: "Wow! That is a quick hands to head beamer that hit straight on the chin.

"Luckily he bounced straight back up because that was toe curling. Thankfully it hitting his hand first would have taken a bit of heat off it."

Head was on 105 at the time of the incident, having played a brilliant counter-attacking innings which saw him score the third-fastest Ashes century of all time off just 85 balls.

He came into bat with Australia in the midst of a mini-collapse which saw them lose four wickets for just 29 runs.

However, Head took the attack to England's tiring bowlers and stretched Australia's lead past 200.

He started off slowly, scoring six runs from his first 18 balls before blasting 95 off 76 balls to reach three figures.

"Well played, Travis Head," Tufnell said of his hundred. "He felt the room and the feeling of England that they had a glimmer of hope.

"He weathered the pressure and then felt the bowling attack was on their last legs and he has counter-attacked beautifully."

Speaking to BT Sport, Head's team-mate David Warner was full of praise for his innings, saying: "What an entertaining innings from Travis Head though – it was great to watch.

"It's got to be up there for him [Head] personally. It was a tight battle with Usman Khawaja but that is the Travis Head we know.

"He wasn't going to change anything. He was fluent with himself and backed himself.

"When your back is up against it you can only look forward because it could be your last game – leave nothing in the tank. It was extraordinary today and I really am happy for him."

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