‘We know each other’s game plan very well’: Travis Head forms formidable partnership with David Warner

Aaron Finch and David Warner were a formidable white-ball partnership, but a new combination is shining on the way to the World Cup.

As Australia sweats on the fitness of some of its biggest World Cup weaponry, the powerhouse opening relationship blooming between David Warner and Travis Head could be the key to success.

Having replaced retired former skipper Aaron Finch, Head has combined with Warner for four triple-figure stands after taking down South Africa last weekend and their average batting together is more than 100 in nine innings.

Only four opening pairs in the history of Australian 50-over cricket have had more triple-figure opening stands than Head and Warner. Finch and Warner had 12 as a duo in 80 innings.

Mitch Marsh has been touted as a potential World Cup opener, having walked out first with Head for a series against India earlier in 2023 when Warner was absent through injury.

But as Warner and Head blasted their way to a 109-run partnership in Bloemfontein, off just 11 overs, their blossoming relationship, and willingness to take on the bowlers at all costs, showed that Finch’s retirement would not stall Australia’s ODI progression.

Warner said Head was well aware of the numbers they boasted as a dynamic duo, even chastising the veteran for a second-ball duck in the opening match that acted as a spur for a second-match century from his partner.

“He (Travis) had a bit of a crack at me from the last game getting out on zero, it killed our partnership average he said,” Warner said in the wake of the victory.

Travis Head and David Warner enjoy batting together. Picture: Phill Magakoe / AFP

“We know each other’s game plan very well, we are trying to put the pressure back on the bowlers.”

Warner lauded Head, who since returning to the ODI side in 2022 has pounded 736 runs at a strike rate of 117.76, for his capacity to score whatever bowling was thrown at him.

“His leg stump is his off stump, he can create that off-side play whenever he feels like it,” Warner said, declaring their game plan would not change when they hit the World Cup in India.

“Our goal is always to try to target the first 10, then from there try to build a partnership outside of the powerplay.”

“Our game plan was to take the first 10 on and build from there.“

The Australians have taken a 2-0 lead in the series in South Africa in the absence of captain Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell, who are all still recovering from injuries a month out from the World Cup in India.

Warner said Marnus Labuschagne, who has made an unbeaten 80 and 124 after being called into the series late, was the perfect “like for like” replacement for Smith should his wrist injury keep him out of the World Cup.

Labuschagne remains the man most likely to force his way in to Australia’s final squad of 15.

“Form is the greatest thing for selection,” Warner said.

“He’s putting his hand up.”