Hometown hero Travis Head hoping to help Aussies sweep series against Pakistan in Adelaide
SA-born Aussie star Travis Head stopped by The Advertiser on Thursday to guest edit the sports section, play a bit of office cricket, and give his take on the upcoming Test against Pakistan.
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Travis Head says Australia must ‘own home’ with a series sweep of Pakistan as it covets the Hobart 1999 heroics of coach Justin Langer that triggered an irresistible winning blitz.
Head’s hometown knowledge and expertise in turning the pink-ball into a heat seeking missile on Adelaide’s drop-in pitch will be crucial to a 2-0 scoreline.
The pink-ball went soft in Australia A’s tour match against Pakistan in Perth this month where Head was vice-captain.
Australia’s team meeting on Thursday had an emphasis on pink-ball tactics, with showers forecast for the second Test - to be played in a day-night timeslot - starting Friday.
“We didn’t get it to swing much after the new ball in Perth, not as great as we would have liked. We have to find a way to adapt to the conditions,” Head told The Advertiser.
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“You can’t shine it like a red ball, put saliva on it and buff it.
“You are trying to get as much heat as you can into it, keep it as dry as possible.
“If it gets wet, it goes soft.
“We have a softer, great wicket here in Adelaide.
“All you are working on is trying to get glow and almost melt one side and it will swing.
“The thatch grass makes the ball stay newer here. If it is windy it won’t swing as much.
“There are a lot of factors.”
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Langer’s 238-run stand 20 years ago with legendary keeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist against an all-star Pakistan attack in Hobart led by Wasim Akram ensured Steve Waugh’s side chewed a record 369-run target on Australian soil.
It was the third of a 16-win streak that cemented the success culture Tim Paine’s unit is targeting with a World Test championship on offer.
Australia retained the Ashes this year, but wants series triumphs and consistency to become a habit.
“Winning this week is very important leading into a big series against New Zealand. There is hunger. If we can own home then winning is contagious,’ said Australian vice-captain Head.
“Momentum is a wonderful thing and winning culture and a belief you can win anywhere as you saw with JL and Gilly.
“You want to give ourselves the best chance of being at Lord’s for the Test championship in 2022.
“That is our World Cup as a Test team.”
Head is relishing his maiden day-night Test in Adelaide where Australia will ‘lift’ under lights in front of a packed stadium.
“The expectation around the pink ball, I am sure the atmosphere will be electric. It means everything. There’s a lot of family and friends coming to watch,” he said.
Head is Australia’s leading batsman since Sandpaper-gate with 878 runs at 41.8, but was dropped for the final Ashes Test at The Oval averaging 27.2 for the series.
Head wants to make a statement in Adelaide like No. 3 Marnus Labuschagne did with a maiden century at the Gabba.
Bedding down a slot in what is becoming a settled top six is the carrot.
“I feel like I am playing well and it would be nice to do it on my home ground and kickstart the summer,” said Head, who made 24 against Pakistan in Australia’s first Test victory.
“I will put the team first and try and get us in a winning position.”