Australia opener Travis Head will skip the Big Bash League (BBL) for a third straight season to rest and prepare for next month's Twenty20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Friday.

Run-machine Travis Head hit a swashbuckling 163 and Steve Smith a composed unbeaten 129 as Australia built a 134-run lead over England to seize control on day three of the fifth and final Ashes Test on Tuesday.

It was his 12th Test century and first at the Sydney Cricket Ground, further cementing his reputation as one of the game’s most versatile and destructive batters.

Opening batsman Travis Head hopes Australia and England will share a drink after the Ashes winds up in Sydney to revive a tradition that fell by the wayside after the 2023 series.

Australia's Travis Head Sunday backed under-pressure opening partner Jake Weatherald to come good after an "extremely tough" start to his Test career in a wild Ashes series.

England fast bowler Brydon Carse said his team has firm plans to counter the threat posed by Travis Head after the Australian made a blistering century at the top of the order to set up an eight-wicket win in the Ashes series opener in Perth.

Australia's Ashes match-winner Travis Head said he was wary of inciting England's fast bowlers as he slogged his way to a stunning century in the first Test in Perth.

Head proved the difference between the sides during the opening Test in Perth.

Travis Head may have batted himself into a permanent role as Australian opener after his swashbuckling 123 against England, casting doubt on the future of an ageing Usman Khawaja.

"Little bit shell-shocked there. Travis Head was phenomenal, jeez that was some knock," England captain Ben Stokes said.

Makeshift opener Travis Head smacked an explosive 69-ball century to power Australia to victory in a high-octane first Ashes Test on Saturday as England meekly surrendered in the Perth Stadium cauldron.

"Wow, what a couple of days. It's been unbelievable," said Head

Australia batter Travis Head has been released from the T20I squad against India to get some red-ball practice in the Sheffield Shield before the Ashes.

A group of Australian players have been the big winners on the newest release of the ICC Men's ODI Player rankings.

Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green all slapped brilliant centuries as Australia posted an ominous 431-2 in the third and final one-day international against South Africa on Sunday in Mackay.

Australian white-ball skipper Mitchell Marsh says he will open the T20 batting with Travis Head for the foreseeable future as the team looks for stability at the top leading into next year's World Cup.

West Indies have been set a daunting victory target of 301 after Australia were dismissed for 310 on the stroke of tea on the third day of the first Test at Kensington Oval on Friday.

Travis Head said Monday Australia were experienced enough to cope as they prepare for their first Test without Steve Smith or Marnus Labuschagne since 2018.

Australia batter Travis Head is expecting teenage opener Sam Konstas to return to the Test fold at this year's ICC World Test Championship Final against South Africa.

The popular lefthander was awarded the Allan Border Medal late on Monday as Australia's top men's cricketer in 2024, crushing second-placed paceman Josh Hazlewood in the voting.