Over the weekend, the most iconic rivalry in cricket returned – The Ashes, and the opening Test did not disappoint.
The first match had everything sport lovers could ask for: disappointment, brilliance, collapses, shock twists, and pure drama.
The atmosphere in Perth was electric, and the cricket matched it ball for ball.
England, after winning the toss, were bowled out for just 172, but the match was far from one-sided.
Australia also stumbled, and at one stage it felt like both teams were trying to outdo each other in batting collapses.
Momentum swung wildly throughout the Test. This is a perfect example of one of those games where the psychological battle was just as intense as the cricket itself.
And then came Travis Head, the innings that changed everything.
Head walked in and smashed 123 from 83 balls, helping Australia to an eight-wicket win.
But, his performance was an example of a masterclass in mental performance.
The Mental Strength Behind Head’s Knock
What stood out wasn’t just the shots – it was the mindset.
While others before him tightened up under pressure, Head looked free, calm, and almost playful.
In an interview after the match, he spoke about his approach:
That line perfectly sums up why his innings was so special.
Why Travis Head’s Mindset Worked
1) Trusting Preparation
“I trained all four days before the Test because I knew it was a tough wicket. I wanted to be in my rhythm and ready to play. I’m old enough now, I’ve played enough cricket, I know what my preparation needs to be.
Under pressure, athletes often get caught up in what can go wrong. Head did the opposite – he trusted the work he’d already done. When athletes feel prepared, they perform with clarity and confidence instead of hesitation.
2) Playing with Freedom
He wasn’t playing “not to get out” – he was playing to score. That shift in mindset changes body language, decision-making, and flow.
3) Staying Present
With 30 wickets having fallen across two days and over 200 runs needed to win, it would’ve been easy to think about the negatives. Instead, Head stayed in the moment, one ball at a time, and because of that, his execution stayed sharp.
4) Enjoying the Occasion
This might be the most underrated point. When an athlete enjoys the pressure instead of shrinking from it, their natural game emerges. Head looked like he was having fun, and his performance was a testimony to that.
This Test perfectly showed how pressure can reshape decision-making, how momentum can swing in a heartbeat, and how the mental game is often the true difference-maker in performance.
