Travis Head blasted the third-fastest century in Ashes history to crush England hopes on the second day of the opening Test at the Gabba on Thursday.

At the close of play a dominant Australia were 343-7, a lead of 196 on England's dismal first-innings total of 147.

Head was on 112, alongside Mitchell Starc, who was not-out 10, on another dispiriting day for England in Brisbane.

England had threatened a comeback after tea when Ollie Robinson took two wickets in consecutive balls, but Head's aggressive innings put paid to any hopes of a miracle recovery.

The 27-year-old Head, controversially recalled to the Australia side ahead of veteran Usman Khawaja, justified his selection by passing 100 off only 85 balls.

He smashed two sixes and 12 fours in his century -- the third-fastest in the Ashes behind only Adam Gilchrist's 56-ball ton in Perth in 2006 and Gilbert Jessop's 76-ball effort at The Oval in 1902.

"I'm still pinching myself -- I can't quite work out what transpired over the past couple of hours," Head said. "I took some chances -- technically and mentally I was really composed, really relaxed," he added. "I found the first 20 runs really tough, but the game opened up and I was able to take the chances, which is pleasing."

Head attacked from the outset and was particularly harsh on spinners Jack Leach and Joe Root, the English skipper. Head came to the crease with Australia 189-3 after Steve Smith edged Mark Wood to keeper Jos Buttler just before tea.

He then watched David Warner (94) and Cameron Green depart to Robinson's accurate seamers after the break, with Australia still only 89 runs ahead.

Earlier, Warner rode his luck in the first two sessions. The gritty Australian batsman was bowled by a no-ball by Ben Stokes before lunch, then dropped by Rory Burns in the first over after the break, before Haseeb Hameed bungled a simple run-out.

Warner's good fortune began when Stokes bowled him when he was on 17, but the all-rounder had overstepped to give the Australian opener a mighty reprieve.

Television replays showed that Stokes had also overstepped on the first three balls of his over, but nothing was called. It later transpired that technology issues were at the centre of the no-ball drama.