Travis Head’s rise to stardom comes as no surprise to SA grassroots club

The unsung hero of Australia’s resurgence as a powerhouse Test team has his country well placed in the World Test Championship final. But his rise comes as no surprise to his grassroots SA club.

He’s the South Australian batsman taking the cricket world by storm, but Travis Head’s rise to dominating international cricket matches comes as no surprise to those at his grassroots club.

The often unsung hero of Australia’s resurgence as a powerhouse Test team, the boy from Gawler South Cricket Club has his country well placed in the World Test Championship final.

Head slashed an aggressive ton against India in England overnight and his display of power hitting was nothing out of the ordinary for the in-form batsmen, who is currently ranked sixth in the ICC’s Test Batting Rankings.

Travis Head famously suited up for South Gawler while captain on the Redbacks. Picture: Facebook.

He has become one of the Test side’s most important pieces; remarkably, since debuting for Australia in Dubai in 2018, Australia has never won a Test without him.

His aggressive batting has cricket fans all over the world in a frenzy, but none of what he is achieving on the world’s largest stage comes as no shock to those who saw him coming through the ranks.

A product of the South Gawler Cricket Club, Head still has close ties to his grassroots side.

South Gawler Cricket Club’s current senior coach Rob McCard said Head keeps in close contact with his mates at the club and despite his busy international schedule, he makes an appearance each summer.

In 2014, while he was captain of the Redbacks, Head famously suited up for South Gawler as his grade side Tea Tree Gully had the bye.

McCard said Head was always destined for greatness.

Travis Head of Australia celebrates after reaching his century during day one of the ICC World Test Championship Final between Australia and India at The Oval on June 07, 2023 in London, England. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

“He’s in top nick – in the last 12 Tests he’s averaging 52, he takes it to the bowlers and that’s how he does it, it’s just all attack, go out there with nothing to lose,” he said.

McCard said Head’s explosion on the world stage acted as inspiration for his club’s players.

“Especially the younger guys coming through … you’ve got to start somewhere and the Barossa was the start of it,” he said.

After impressing in the Barossa league, Head went on to play district cricket at Tea Tree Gully.

His Tea Tree Gully coach – former Australian Test player Peter Sleep – told The Advertiser Head was marked out as someone special from his earliest days.

Sleep said Head made his A-grade debut when he was only 15 and he could tell he was going to make the big time.

Head resumes tonight in day two of the World Test Championship final unbeaten on 146.