SA’s Travis Head deserves chance to prove worth at Test level, says former Test star Greg Blewett
Former Test batsman Greg Blewett urges selectors to stick with Redbacks skipper Travis Head as Shaun and Mitch Marsh fail in Adelaide Oval Shield clash.
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Former Australian batsman Greg Blewett has urged selectors to stick with resurgent Travis Head as Shaun and Mitch Marsh’s Test preparation struck turbulence in Adelaide.
Shaun Marsh made 21 and skipper Mitch 1 as their boom or bust run continued against South Australia in a first-class clash dominated by Ashes smoky Daniel Worrall (7/64).
Head was a class above belting 87 against Western Australia on Friday before tickling Matt Kelly down legside to keeper Josh Inglis for 6 before stumps on day two.
Blewett wants Head — to be given an extended run at No. 5 in the baggy green.
“I would love to see him bat at No. 5 and Friday was the best I had seen him play. I know he missed out in the one-dayers but he is in really good form,” said Blewett of Head who endured an errant lbw verdict.
Head won the faith of national selectors in a match-saving, 132-run stand with Usman Khawaja against Pakistan in Dubai but failed to ignite in the three-match one-day series against South Africa.
“I would love them to stick with him for the first three or four Tests, give him a really good run at it,” said Blewett of Head, the only recognised batsman to post a first-innings half century in Adelaide.
The Marsh brothers missed valuable time in the middle but the rousing form of Test hopefuls — Tasmania’s Alex Doolan (0), Victorians Marcus Harris (22) and Peter Handscomb (4) — came to a halt in Hobart. Queensland openers Matt Renshaw (21) and Joe Burns (6) failed against New South Wales in Canberra.
Australia’s top order for the Test series against Virat Kohli’s unit remains uncertain due to doubts over premier batsman Khawaja’s fitness and Renshaw’s indifferent form.
The composition of Australia’s order suddenly hinges around Aaron Finch and whether the Victorian slides from opener to No. 5 against India. Incumbent Test No. 6 Marnus Labuschagne (52) found touch with a half-century against Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitch Starc and Nathan Lyon but will battle to hold his place after averaging 20 against Pakistan.
“They have their eye on Matt Renshaw and he only needs a half decent score. In Australia Khawaja is a perfect No. 3 so I would be looking to bat him there,” said Blewett in CA website commentary.
Shaun Marsh laboured for 14 runs in two Tests against Pakistan last month but posted a one-day ton against South Africa in Hobart last Sunday.
Mitch Marsh contributed 30 runs against Pakistan but responded with 151 against Queensland this month in Brisbane. Batting at No. 3 and No. 4 respectively for WA, the Marsh siblings will target second innings against SA on Saturday to seal victory and pre-Test consistency.
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