Australian batsman Travis Head has been a standout performer in the ongoing 2025-26 Ashes series against England, contributing significantly with his bat and entertaining off-field antics. The `cricket.com.au` article, published on January 6, 2026, highlights Head's strong form, specifically mentioning his recent innings of 163 runs against an 'increasingly hapless England'. This performance, likely from the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) which was scheduled from January 4-8, 2026, underscores his crucial role in the Australian team's success. Beyond his batting prowess, the report emphasizes Head's jovial and confident personality. He amused reporters by explaining his 'minimalist approach' to running singles as a deliberate tactic to 'rev up' his teammates. Furthermore, when questioned about his curious record of being dismissed multiple times between scores of 150 and 175 without achieving a double century, Head lightheartedly dismissed it as a 'shit stat,' preferring to focus on his consistent run-scoring. This affable nature, combined with his formidable performance, has cemented his place as a fan favourite. The article also suggests Head had accumulated close to 600 runs in the series by the time of its publication. It's important to note that the provided 'RELATED ARTICLES' in the prompt refer to Australia's 4-1 victory in the *2021-22* Ashes series, which was concluded in Hobart (though some context mentions Sydney), not the *2025-26* series that the main article is currently covering. Travis Head was also the Player of the Series in the 2021-22 Ashes.