Test great Jason Gillespie says Travis Head and Aaron Finch are ready for Test debuts
JASON Gillespie has inside knowledge on Test debutants Travis Head and Aaron Finch. And he says they are more than ready to ignite in the baggy green for the first time.
JASON Gillespie says Australia has pulled the right rein blooding Travis Head and Aaron Finch against Pakistan as the Test great backs his proteges to ignite in the baggy green.
Gillespie has watched Head flower as a leader of men and batsman since appointed South Australian captain three years ago.
Head, 24, led the Strikers to an inaugural Big Bash League title under coach Gillespie in February.
“Certainly when I first came to the Strikers I was keen to give Travis a crack as captain. He was brilliant last year and each year I have noticed a maturing player,” Gillespie told The Advertiser.
“I think he will thrive under Justin Langer and do really well.”
Head has a first-class average of 41 as South Australian captain. A tightened technique and increased patience will serve the left-hander well starting Sunday in the Test series opener against Pakistan in Dubai.
“His batting and leadership is coming on in leaps and bounds so I am not surprised he has been afforded this opportunity,” said Gillespie of Head, whose seven first-class tons equals snubbed Victorian Glenn Maxwell.
“I am absolutely delighted as the lad works his butt off. He is open to learning and giving himself the best chance to be successful.
“He is a quality player and human being and will fit into that environment well. I can’t wait to see him get out there and perform strongly for Australia.”
Finch has banked 11 one-day centuries opening for Australia but the strokeplayer’s red ball reinvention came under Gillespie in 2014. Gillespie signed Finch at Yorkshire despite demoralising first class averages of 17.8, 11.3 and 14.8 from 2011-14 with Victoria.
Finch averaged 48.5 in five County matches replacing New Zealand star Kane Williamson in Yorkshire’s drought-breaking 2014 County title triumph, validating Gillespie’s investment.
“It doesn’t surprise me that he is in the frame for Test cricket. I signed him at Yorkshire a few years back and long felt he had the game to play Test cricket,” said Gillespie of Finch who averaged 48 for Somerset in 2016 and 52.8 for Victoria in 2016-17.
“He just needed a bit of consistency at domestic level and put some scores on the board. He has done that and I look forward to seeing him do well.”
Matt Renshaw is in doubt as Finch’s opening partner for the first Test due to concussion. Queenslander Renshaw was struck on the helmet fielding at short leg during Australia’s tour match against Pakistan A in Dubai.
Gillespie says 11-Test batsman Renshaw, 22, deserves a slice of fortune after being axed for last summer’s Ashes series.
“I am a bit of a fan of his from watching him play when he first got to the Test side,” said Gillespie in support of Renshaw who debuted against South Africa in Adelaide two years ago.
“I thought he showed a bit about him and was disappointed that he got dropped.”
Langer has confirmed Dubai starts for Head and Finch. Queenslanders Marnus Labuschagne and paceman Michael Neser are chasing debuts as Australia recalibrates without banned Steve Smith, David Warner and Cam Bancroft in the UAE where it lost 2-0 in 2014.
“It’s a hard place to win but a great challenge for this group of players,” said Gillespie.
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