As David Warner prepares to retire, all eyes will be on the person who will take over as Australia’s opening man once he leaves. The hero of Australia’s ODI World Cup victory, Travis Head, has dismissed any speculation that he would take first place.
In Test cricket, Head highlighted that opening the batting is a “specialist job.”. Travis Head said that the players who have been waiting a long time to join the squad should get a chance first, despite his outstanding performances at the top of the order in the ODI format.
“The first opportunity should go to the people who have been waiting a long time to join the team. However, discussions with everyone are still ongoing; for me, the opening in the subcontinent is the only one, according to Head’s comments as cited by ESPNcricinfo.
Andrew McDonald, Australia’s head coach, has alluded to an unusual selection for Warner’s heir. Travis Head thinks the selectors are happy with his middle-order effort, though.
“[Selectors] are pleased with my middle-order performance. In the future, I don’t see myself traveling about too much,” he declared.
The three most probable candidates to start are Marcus Harris, Matthew Renshaw, and Cameron Bancroft. These players are still being considered by selectors because of their performance in the home arena. Head, who had, owing to an injury, replaced Warner as an opener during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year in India, said that his concentration is on the middle order and that he is dedicated to contributing where he has excelled over the previous two years. “I think [opening] it’s a specialist job,” he stated.
Not sure whether I’ll make it to that T20 World Cup: Travis Head
After being instrumental in Australia’s ODI World Cup victory, Head’s focus is now on Test cricket, with the opening match against Pakistan scheduled for December 14. He stated that he was really interested in clinching a berth for the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA next year after thinking back on his previous T20I series against India.
“Since I’m not guaranteed a spot in that T20 World Cup, I wanted to show up, give it my all, and attempt to earn a spot on the squad. We thought playing the three T20s was a better opportunity than Shield,” Head remarked. “We haven’t got many T20 opportunities coming up over the next little bit, so it was sort of that last chance to press my claims to make sure that I’m in the mix.”
Head was upbeat, despite his damaged hand not feeling fully recovered. He admitted that the training at the WACA field had been dull.
“It was a pretty average training session yesterday. The wicket is trickier,” Travis Head remarked. Nothing much has changed on my end; I try to be upbeat. I want to be bold, but I also want to use the proper ratios.”
In Australia, Head has become a hero to many admirers; some even dress up as him for holiday get-togethers. He anticipates a resounding reception from the local supporters coming to the Perth Test.
Head is focused on his middle-order position and hopes to carry on his cricket career with the same positive vibes that have made him a beloved figure in Australia as the first Test match against Pakistan draws near.