Travis Head Wins Allan Border Medal for Second Year

Travis Head has won the Allan Border Medal for the second consecutive year, edging out teammate Alex Carey by a single vote in one of the closest finishes in the award's history. The star batter was presented with Australian cricket's highest individual men's honor at a team function in Brisbane on Friday, August 7, 2026, after a voting period that spanned from January 29, 2025, to January 8, 2026.

Head received 153 votes, finishing just ahead of Carey's 152, with veteran fast bowler Mitchell Starc close behind in third place with 150 votes. The ceremony was a low-key affair, a departure from the traditional gala event, due to a congested international calendar that saw the men's and women's teams committed to tours and tournaments earlier in the year.

The South Australian's victory was built on a prolific all-format season where he amassed 1,437 runs in 30 international matches. His most decisive contributions came during Australia's victorious Ashes campaign, where he seamlessly transitioned to an opening role. Head's match-winning 123 in the fourth innings of the first Test in Perth set the tone, followed by a career-best 170 in Adelaide and a commanding 163 in Sydney. These...