Former Test captain Allan Border excited about Travis Head’s potential after Head’s stirring innings against Pakistan
ALLAN Border has declared that Travis Head’s courage under fire in Dubai can be his making as a Test batsman and potentially, as Australia’s next leader.
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ALLAN Border has declared that Travis Head’s courage under fire in Dubai can be his making as a Test batsman and potentially, as Australia’s next leader.
Head’s match-saving contribution against Pakistan on Test debut has become somewhat lost amid the heroics performed by Usman Khawaja and captain Tim Paine.
But without Head’s brilliant 72 off 172 balls which held up a 137-run stand with Khawaja, Australia never would have been in a position to hold on for their Great Escape.
Head was facing the ignominy of a pair on debut when he came to the crease in the last session on day four when Australia had just lost 3-0 in three overs.
The South Australian has already been shortlisted in Justin Langer’s captaincy plans for the future and legendary skipper and match-saver Border says Head has only risen in those estimations now after his first Test in baggy green.
Border says the importance of Head’s performance cannot be underestimated for how it could shape a next generation star.
“Definitely. The confidence you get from doing something like that is enormous,” said Border.
“Even though you’re not setting the game up, saving a game early on in your career like he has in his first match, that’s enormous.
“He’s another kid with huge potential as far as leadership and what he can do within the side.
“He’s got a good cricket intelligence and that was shown with that innings. And he’s played one game.
“It’s looking good as far as those individuals are concerned and it might springboard guys to bigger and better things.”
Head was under all sorts of pressure when he first came to the crease on day four with Australia looking so wobbly the match could have been as good as over by stumps.
He scratched around desperately to get off the mark, surviving DRS referrals and some panicked moments.
But Border says Head’s ability to emerge from the fire and let his natural stroke play flourish in the context of so much personal and team pressure was the mark of a Test match batsman.
“He’s on debut, there’s high pressure, nerves and he got a duck in the first innings and everyone is talking about debutants and ducks,” he said.
“To come out and play that innings, he looked very assured.
“He played his shots very well and he kept that momentum going all through that innings. It was very impressive stuff, as good as it gets.
“History says that’s the best ever (save) by an Australian team. It was a phenomenal performance.”
Australian batting coach Graeme Hick praised the outstanding resolve shown by his troops under extreme pressure.
One potential concern to come out of the match was the performances of Shaun and Mitchell Marsh, who in their promoted roles at No.3 and 4 respectively were part of the top order collapses in both innings.
But Hick believes both are in strong form and will be backed into their new roles as the team lynchpins.
“I imagine if it comes up in discussion (their positions in order) it won’t be a very long one,” said Hick.
“They’ve both been playing beautifully. Mitch Marsh has come off the A series in India he batted beautifully, he got a great hundred there, and spent a lot of time at the crease.
“He batted for six hours in the warm-up game we had against Pakistan A, played beautifully.
“They’re both very good players and playing very well and you don’t get runs every game.”
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