Big Bash League: Travis Head hopes Strikers stint helps him break back into Aussie ODI team
Travis Head was a mainstay in Australia’s ODI team at the start of his international career but was unable to crack the Test XI. Now it’s the opposite and the 26-year-old wants back in.
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Travis Head is desperate to become a three-format player for Australia again, having discussed his potential path back with national coach Justin Langer in recent weeks.
Head was a mainstay in Australia’s ODI team at the start of his international career but was unable to crack the Test XI.
The batsman is now Australia’s Test vice-captain but was left out of the one-day squad that departs for India on Thursday, even after the selection overhaul that followed the 2019 World Cup.
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Head has represented his country in 58 white-ball matches, the most recent of which was in 2018.
“I definitely want to play all three formats ... I’m disappointed I’m not,” Head said.
“I don’t think I am far off ... I’ve got to work extremely hard to get a spot.
“I had some really good chats with JL over the last couple of weeks about where I am at and what I need to do.
“I haven’t played a great deal of white-ball cricket recently. The opportunity now is I’ve got seven games and hopefully some finals for the Strikers to show I’ve still got it.”
Head is missing Adelaide Strikers’ home clash with Sydney Sixers on Wednesday night but the skipper is slated to return on Sunday, when they host Melbourne Renegades.
“Very nervous about it,” Head said of his Big Bash League return, having shored up his Test spot with a century at the MCG.
“They’re playing extremely well. I’ve been watching closely.
“The pressure is on. I’ve got to make sure I start really well. I’m very conscious of that ... but it’s good nervous energy.”
The South Australian has batted everywhere from No.1 to No.7 for Australia during his ODI career.
Regarding his spot at No.6 in the Test side, Head has accepted debate will almost certainly never stop given an argument can always be made for the elevation of an allrounder.
“The talk around the allrounder is always there,” Head said.
“I just need to make sure I perform, either go up the order or keep that spot.”
Originally published as Big Bash League: Travis Head hopes Strikers stint helps him break back into Aussie ODI team