Travis Head’s name was a shock omission for cricket’s biggest award

Cricket fans and experts are outraged after one of the favourites for the sport’s top award didn’t even make the podium.

Australian cricket enjoyed an extraordinary year in 2023, taking out the ODI World Cup and the World Test Championship along with retaining the Ashes.

Among the stars of Australian cricket, the name that probably springs to mind when recalling some of those highest of highs is Travis Head.

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When it came to the man of the match award, 30-year-old Head’s name was read out for the Test Championship final plus the semi-final and final of the World Cup.

His name was nowhere to be found, however, when it came to Wednesday night’s Allan Border Medal ceremony.

That hadn’t been the expectation, with a number of experts and pundits stating it was surely his award to lose.

This became a common image as Australia took out the ODI World Cup. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

“Aussie skipper Pat Cummins and SA’s Travis Head are the favourites for the Allan Border Medal,” 7 News tweeted during the day.

So there was massive surprise when the finalists for the night’s main award in men’s cricket were announced.

Cummins was the ICC player of the year and Mitch Marsh would go on to win the Allan Border Medal, with Steve Smith the third finalist as he competed for what would have been a record fifth AB Medal.

The response was swift.

“WTF? Smith in the Top Three without Travis Head?” was one post on X. “Especially after the Tests in England not to mention the WC. Bloody ridiculous.”

This was a common sight in the biggest Test matches too. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Travis Head and wife Jessica Davies arrive at the awards night. Photo: Jake Nowakowski

“How is Travis Head not in the top 3 for the AB medal?” wrote another.

“Travis Head and wife Jess have landed,” wrote a third along with a photo of the blue carpet arrivals. “Trav’s had a great year and hopefully has room for silverware in his suitcase.”

That proved not to be the case, with Marsh instead a popular winner and capping a remarkable return to the national setup.

In a change of pace for awards nights, which can often be dry affairs, Wednesday was hosted by Sam Perry and Ian Higgins from the popular podcast, The Grade Cricketer.

That guaranteed the night would be full of in-jokes and playful questions bordering on the awkward side, with some hitting the mark and others sailing through to the keeper.

Travis Head is being robbed tremendously ffs https://t.co/FnPNqb4gHU

— Cricket Lover 🏏 (@TheBull_02) January 31, 2024

Travis Head is going to get a harsh reality check tonight. Having been robbed of his ICC cricketer of the year award, he is going to be robbed of the Allan Border medal as well as Australia ODI player of the year! Got to feel really sorry for him. He hardly gets recognition.

— Troll cricket unlimitedd (@TUnlimitedd) January 31, 2024

Travis Head robbed

— Troll Toll (@TollTroll18) January 31, 2024

Arguably the biggest laugh of the evening, apart from Marsh’s acceptance speech, came as Higgins knelt down beside Smith for a quick chat about his nomination for a potential fifth Allan Border Medal.

Higgins reminded him he was equal with former skipper Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting before slotting in the haymaker.

“This year, the winner actually gets a trip to Noosa with Karl Stefanovic, that’s exciting,” Higgins said, referencing the public feud Clarke was involved in with the TV personality last year.

Smith cracked an awkward grin, but current Aussie captain Pat Cummins couldn’t help but break out laughing as the camera shot transitioned.

Australian Cricket Awards 2024

Allan Border Medal — Mitchell Marsh

Belinda Clark Award — Ashleigh Gardener

BBL Player of the Tournament — Matt Short

Women’s Domestic Player of the Year — Sophie Day and Elyse Villani

Men’s Domestic Player of the Year — Cameron Bancroft

Betty Wilson Young Cricketer of the Year — Emma de Broughe

Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year — Fergus O’Neill

Originally published as Travis Head’s name was a shock omission for cricket’s biggest award