Skipper Travis Head signs four-year Strikers deal promising more good times and runs

Inaugural BBL title-winning skipper Travis Head has become the Adelaide Strikers’ ultimate franchise man after signing a record four-year deal.

Travis Head has re-signed with the Adelaide Strikers. Picture: Sarah Reed

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Inaugural BBL title-winning skipper Travis Head has become the Adelaide Strikers’ ultimate franchise man after signing a record four-year deal.

Head will be 29 when his Strikers deal concludes in 2022 and is likely to be a rare one-franchise BBL player.

“It is an amazing deal to have, staying in the one place and Adelaide playing in front of family and friends. With all the success we have had there would be no reason to leave,” Head told The Advertiser.

West Indian all-rounder Kieron Pollard signed a separate two-year deal with the Strikers but Head’s four-year pact is a significant show of faith by high performance manager Tim Nielsen and coach Jason Gillespie.

“Hopefully I can add a few more years. It is an amazing time in Adelaide to be around,” said Head with Adelaide beginning its title defence against Brisbane Heat at the Gabba on December 19.

Head has a Strikers-record 988 runs at 138 strike-rate since his BBL debut five years ago. An undefeated New Year’s Eve 101 in 2015-16 and unconquered 85 against Melbourne Renegades that booked a 2017-18 final berth top Head’s highlight reel.

“It is pretty surreal. It has not been a long period but have got the most runs. It is pretty cool to be leader of the Strikers and last year winning it,” said Head, joined by all-rounder Cam Valente in committing to Adelaide.

Travis Head has re-signed with the Adelaide Strikers. Picture: Sarah Reed

“Alex Carey made 443 runs last season and is coming real quick at me.”

Head will see limited game time with the Strikers if selected — as expected — for Australia’s Test and one-day series against India and Sri Lanka this summer. Head says he’s in a win-win situation.

“I am unsure how much I will play but make sure I contribute the group when I am around,” he said.

“We have Matt Short this year who will offer the same role as me with a few offies through the middle and can smack them. I think we are covered well.”

Head was overlooked for Australia’s Twenty20 tri-series against India but rates fronting in two Sheffield Shield games against Western Australia and Tasmania an invaluable tune-up for the first Test in Adelaide starting December 6.

“I want to be a three-format player which isn’t the case at the minute. It is a pretty important time with a Test around the corner to be playing red ball cricket,” said Head, who cracked a first innings 87 against the Warriors last Friday.

“I just want to perform wherever I am needed.”

Head said Adelaide won’t change its winning formula with South African blaster Colin Ingram skipper again in his absence. Premier leg-spinner Rashid Khan returns to an attack featuring Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake, Michael Neser and all-time BBL leading wicket-taker Ben Laughlin that had all the answers last season.

“It is a dream to captain Rash. I know he wants the ball anytime, anywhere. To have the excitement of the semi was nerve-wracking for us but we played the almost the perfect game in the final where Jake Weatherald (115) was unbelievable.

“We have quality players, great variety with Rash, Ness, Billy, Sidds, there is no real bowler the same. We just got enough runs early in the tournament to defend totals.”

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Originally published as Skipper Travis Head signs four-year Strikers deal promising more good times and runs