Will Pucovski’s decision to exclude himself from Test selection has Travis Head in box seat for recall
South Australian Travis Head’s chances of a Test recall have been bolstered following the announcement Victorian young gun Will Pucovski will not vie for selection.
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Travis Head’s timely ton against New South Wales and the announcement Victorian Will Pucovski has pulled out of the running for Test selection has bolstered the Redback’s chances of a recall.
As Trevor Hohns’ selection panel convened on Wednesday, left-hander Head was firmly back in the frame for a Test recall despite an initial preference to pick Pucovski who hasn’t fronted in a first class game at the Gabba or Adelaide Oval.
Head is now almost certainly the frontrunner to reclaim his spot in the side after Pucovski pulled out of the race for Test selection this morning - with the squad set to be announced today - as he deals with “matters pertaining to mental wellbeing”.
Pucovski, 21, is an exciting prodigy - hitting 1099 Sheffield Shield runs at 49 from 14 games - however has twice taken time away from the game for mental health reasons.
He stepped away from the game in October last year and then again in February when on the cusp of a Test debut against Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, Head, with a 42.7 average over 12 Tests and 6513 first-class runs in 96 matches, becomes the safe middle-order selection against Pakistan for next week’s first Test in Brisbane.
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Langer notes Head can try too hard but the 25-year-old silenced doubters with a dogged 109 against Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon and Trent Copeland last week in Adelaide.
“They are so keen to get in the Test team but need to get back to relaxing and play your style of cricket,” Langer said of Head, Tim Paine’s Ashes deputy.
Head failed in Australia A’s first innings 122 against Pakistan in Perth.
Regardless, his 109 against the Blues was the standout knock for Redbacks coach Jamie Siddons this season.
“I don’t expect him to miss out. He is a good enough player with that hundred he made,” said Siddons of Head.
“He has done everything right since he has been back.
“That was the best hundred I have seen for the year last week against the best (attack) we have had.
“If they are going to pick someone in form he is the one.
“That’s probably a great thing that he took into the game against New South Wales the other day.
“He had different plans for Hazlewood, Copeland, Harry Conway and Lyon, so it wasn’t just playing the same game against all the bowlers.
“He was leaving balls outside the off stump, not playing the back-foot drive, that was the thing I thought was the secret to it.”
Cam Bancroft’s stocks rose with 49 against Pakistan for Australia A in Perth replacing Nic Maddinson. Fanatical trainer Bancroft is only one fighting knock away from a Test recall while held in the highest esteem by greats Steve Waugh and Langer.
Maddinson recently detailed on SEN Radio how he “wasn’t ready for that opportunity” when handed a Test debut aged 24 against South Africa three years ago.
“I wasn’t really confident in my game at that level – not even state cricket at that time,” said Maddinson who this week withdrew from Australia A’s clash against Pakistan due to mental health concerns.