Travis Head’s time has come — selected for Australia’s two-Test tour against Pakistan
TRAVIS Head’s time has come, selected among five uncapped players for Australia’s two-Test tour against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates as selectors look to bed down future linchpins.
TEST southpaw-in-waiting Travis Head believes his time has come - ready to repay the faith of legends and selectors alike across all forms.
Head is integral to coach Justin Langer’s sweeping, regeneration blueprint starting against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates next month.
Head, 24, was a rare consensus selection in a 15-man Test squad. Fellow uncapped inclusions in batsmen Aaron Finch, Marnus Labuschagne, allrounder Michael Neser and unheralded quick Brendan Doggett trumped Glenn Maxwell for a tour ticket. Adelaide Strikers seamer Peter Siddle’s two-year Test exile will also end.
Head, a one-day and Twenty20 staple for Australia, covets a chance to excel in the Test arena having made his first-class debut in 2012.
“You don’t know until you do it but I think I have shown in one-day cricket I am up to the level,” Head told The Advertiser.
“When I get my opportunity I need to nail it, hope I could do that and stay in the team. I have been lucky enough to play a lot of one-day cricket.
“I think it just comes with maturity and experience.”
Having done the yard hards as South Australia’s youngest skipper, aged 21, Head sealed Test squad selection with a one-day ton and four-day scores of 87 and 68 for Australia A in India over the past three weeks.
Head’s leadership and power stroke play has developed while he’s viewed as a key plank in Langer’s long-term master plan that will unfold with world class duo Steve Smith and David Warner banned.
Head’s forward defence significantly tightened this northern summer while at Worcestershire following work with Redbacks coach Jamie Siddons, former Test opener Chris Rogers and 65-Test England batsman Graeme Hick.
“Travis has improved his game immensely over the past 12 months, and is the type of player we want in this environment,” said national chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns of Head who enjoyed a first-class average of 46 for South Australia last season.
“He’s a hard worker who has performed well with the bat in his recent four-day opportunities for Australia A and South Australia.”
Shane Warne, two years ago, backed Head’s selection across all formats.
“I’m a big fan of Travis Head as a cricketer, I believe he will be a future star for Australia in all forms of the game,” tweeted Warne of Head who blasted 374 runs at 53 while captaining Adelaide Strikers to the 2017-18 Big Bash League title.
Head’s first-class average is 36 but was blooded as a project player by South Australia. Just as Michael Clarke averaged 38 before his Test selection, selectors believe Head will take the step to Test ranks in his stride.
Langer oversaw a cultural overhaul during a successful overhaul of Western Australian cricket and cares little for reputation. Langer will invest in soldiers with the ticker and ability to restore Australia’s prestige over the long term as Bobby Simpson did with a group headlined by Steve Waugh during its 1980s nadir.
Doggett is a genuine bolter while Labuschagne averages just 35 but exudes South African bred toughness. Prospective World Cup skipper Finch has been viewed as suspect against the red ball but his presence and experience is valued in the change-room.
Tests in Dubai starting October 7 then Abu Dhabi from October 16 represent coach Langer’s first chance to stamp the legendary opener’s philosophy.
Opener Joe Burns, batsman Peter Handscomb and swingman Chadd Sayers were omitted from the unit crushed by South Africa in Cape Town last April. Maxwell and speedster Jhye Richardson were notably overlooked for inclusion.
Siddle was recalled for his workhorse and reverse swing capability in unforgiving conditions where Australia could field three spinners in Nathan Lyon, Jon Holland and Ashton Agar.