England dealing with the aftermath of Travis Head slow spin failure, could face group stage exit

Travis Head has sent a message to his World Cup rivals that they can try and replicate England’s failed tactics at their peril ... as Scotland continue to charge towards a UK upset for the ages.

Travis Head has thrown down the gauntlet to rivals who want to follow England’s lead and try test out his ‘weakness’ against spin.

England finds themselves on the verge of World Cup elimination after Scotland smashed Oman to guarantee a tantalising qualification battle against their UK rivals will – at the very least – come down to net run rate.

The fact Scotland wrapped up their 7-wicket win at the start of the 14th over gives them a current net run rate of +2.16 and only heaps further pressure on England (-1.80nrr) who must really put the hammer to the floor against Namibia and Oman to avoid a humiliating group stage exit.

England’s pain began against Australia when they attempted to exploit Head’s perceived shortcomings against spin by opening with part-time slow bowler Will Jacks rather than the 150km/h Jofra Archer.

Travis Head’s form against spin has turned a corner in recent years. Picture: Randy Brooks / AFP

Head launched Jacks over the fence twice in his first two balls to set the tone for Australia’s tone-setting triumph and has welcomed other teams to come at him with the same tactic.

“They (England) might have been talking about when he (Jacks) got me out a couple of weeks ago (in the IPL),” Head said.

“But I wasn’t surprised by the double spin with everyone’s theories (about his abilities against spin).

“It’s up to whatever everyone thinks their plans are and the best way of coming at them.

“It was nice not to have to face Woody (Mark Wood) or Jofra early – two very high quality pace bowlers.

“When you get a spinner you have to back your chances. More so on the variety of the wicket.

“With spin I find you can be a little bit more consistent with the up and down bounce, which we’d seen from Jofra.

“All I can face is what comes down.”

Former Australian Test star and selector Mark Waugh said on social media after England’s disastrous Jacks experiment that it was madness the way team’s over-think match-ups in T20 cricket rather than simply bowling the best bowlers.

Head might have struggled against spin early in his career, but turned a corner a couple of years ago and has produced dominant performances in the subcontinent in all formats.

The pyrotechnics from Head are unlikely to slow down from Head and his opening partner David Warner this tournament.

Head says he and David Warner are willing to take risks early on in innings. Picture: Randy Brooks / AFP

Wickets in the West Indies tend to become harder to play on as the innings draws on, and Head and Warner are determined to make hay while the sun shines.

“Once we got on a roll (against England), we try and take it down as quickly as we can because we feel like the wicket is going to get tougher,” Head said.

“I feel like if we do it right like (against England) we can try and do both (attack at the start and end of the innings).

“But yeah … it feels like with the wickets, you’re going to have to try and take some chances at the top.

“… You weigh that up. Obviously you’re not trying to get out.”

Head said he and Warner’s explosive combination is based on meticulous planning and preparation.

“Davey and I, we’re always going to try and talk about match-ups. I was clear-minded and reacted to (Jacks) and was able to execute a few things.

“On a different day, if Davey is going and I don’t feel great, (the plan is) get Davey on strike.

“You just work on that partnership, whose day it is, certain times (to attack in the innings), and working with that.

“Let’s see how the next two games pan out and how the wicket presents and crack on.”

Originally published as England dealing with the aftermath of Travis Head slow spin failure, could face group stage exit