He was the hometown hero, and on Sunday afternoon, Travis Head was unsurprisingly the life of the party. Having hit his second century of the series, Head played a pivotal role in helping Australia retain the Ashes. The celebration unfolded with Head at the helm, organizing festivities as Australia clinched the series in just 11 days.
Known affectionately as the “mayor” of Adelaide by skipper Pat Cummins, Head had the responsibility of orchestrating the celebrations. “A few weeks ago I tempted the idea of (the Ashes) finishing here, so I have my work cut out for me tonight and tomorrow organizing a few things in Adelaide, which I’ve already done,” Head shared on Kayo Sports. He humorously added that it took him just “three minutes” to plan the celebrations.
Ronball T-Shirts and a Nod to Critics
Embracing his new role, Head designed ‘Ronball’ T-shirts for all the players, poking fun at England’s much-hyped Bazball era. The shirts, featuring a cartoon of coach Andrew McDonald, were both a tribute to their victorious coach and a playful jab at critics who had labeled this Australian team as the weakest since 2010.
McDonald, however, chose to remain in his official coaching attire as the team enjoyed apple and watermelon gin cocktails post-victory. The term ‘Ronball’ first gained public attention in 2022 during Australia’s dominance over the West Indies, with David Warner remarking, “If they feel like it’s sustainable to play that brand of cricket when the ball is hooping and seaming then that’s fine. We will be playing Ronball.”
Ben Stokes, captain of the England team, was less impressed, noting, “Ronball doesn’t quite roll off the tongue as well as Bazball, even if Baz doesn’t like it.” Despite the tongue-in-cheek rivalry, the Australian team’s results were undeniable, and they wore their ‘Ronball’ shirts with pride.
Musical Tributes and Team Traditions
The celebrations continued with a musical tribute as Alex Carey played ‘True Blue’ on a portable speaker. The players joined in a rousing rendition of the song, which John Williamson had performed on the morning of Day 1 in memory of the victims of the Bondi terror attack. Carey also led the team in singing their anthem, ‘Under the Southern Cross I Stand’.
Adding to the camaraderie, Cummins invited several Australian cricket legends into the dressing room, including former coach Justin Langer. Among those present were Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Darren Lehmann, and others. “Pat sent a message up here that he wanted to invite us down,” Jason Gillespie told Code Sports. “As ex-players, you never want to go down to the dressing room unless you’re invited. But to receive an invitation was lovely. They’re a great bunch of guys and the boys were so welcoming. It was great, it was a brilliant win.”
Looking Ahead: The Legacy of the Series
Speaking to Triple M, Cummins emphasized the importance of savoring the victory. “As you both know, you savour it and don’t look too far ahead,” he said. “I heard over there, Gilly’s got a present for us, so I think some Tequila might be in there.”
The Ashes victory not only marked a significant achievement for the current team but also reinforced Australia’s cricketing legacy. The series win against England, amid the backdrop of the Bazball era, highlighted the resilience and adaptability of the Australian squad. As the celebrations in Adelaide drew to a close, the focus would eventually shift to future challenges, but for now, the team and its supporters were content to bask in the glory of their triumph.
