‘I would change some things’: Travis Head opens up about rapid rise, World Cup win, fatherhood, Boon comparison

World Cup weapon Travis Head has emerged as Australia’s most important batter. The loveable larrikin opens up to BEN HORNE about fatherhood, why David Boon labels shouldn’t stick, and more.

Travis Head admits mixed feelings at how his larrikin celebrations as a World Cup hero dominated headlines and is slightly uncomfortable about being affectionately hailed the new ‘Boony.’

The Australian public has fallen in love with Head as a throwback to the days of the true characters, in a modern age where athletes are often overly sanitised and image conscious.

But just as David Boon revealed on a podcast last year that he was embarrassed at being forever linked to the legendary tale that he once downed 52 beers on a flight to London, Head says he would change some things if Australia gets another chance to pop champagne corks after this T20 World Cup, which gets serious with the first Super Eights game against Bangladesh on Friday morning AEST in Antigua.

Head did absolutely nothing wrong in his celebrations of last year’s ODI World Cup – and they were warmly received – but as a father he wants to be more conscious of perceptions in a world where camera phones ensure that very few things stay private.

Travis Head’s World Cup celebrations went viral. Picture: instagram @travishead34

“It’s a hard one to sum up. I think I’m just being me and that’s the beauty of Pat (Cummins) and Ronnie (Andrew McDonald) and what they’ve brought to the team … and how I’ve just been able to be me around the group,” Head said, as the in-form superstar eyes another big contribution to follow his match-defining knocks against England, Namibia and Scotland in the group stage.

“In terms of the Boony stuff, it’s probably the only downfall from the World Cup was the post stuff that snuck itself out and some of the carry on and some of the celebrations I would have liked to not go out (in the public).

“Just for some of the perception stuff. I still work hard and I want to be a good family man.

“A bit like Boony with the flight – and I’m nowhere near those sort of stories, but I know he came out long after that in a podcast and said he’s disappointed looking back and some of the things he’d like to do different.”

Head conjured one of the greatest – if not the greatest World Cup performance of all time with his memorable century against India in the ODI final.

For the coming days Head’s celebrations became an amusing talking point for teammates and fans – and although it was all in good fun, Head has learnt from the experience.

“Looking back at the World Cup, I did so many good things and then all of it was a bit like that. Yes, it’s funny, yes it’s good at the time, but also, I don’t want to take away from the special times and what I did well,” Head said.

“Social media obviously do wonders at some certain points. But it’s also opened my eyes up to things that you’ve got to make sure how it looks perception wise.

“I’m not too worried about it, I don’t want to make a big deal of it … but it’s important as well.

“(Daughter) Milla will grow up and hopefully she looks back and sees the game and hopefully she sees I played well, not that I got on the cans for three or four days, if that makes sense.”

Travis Head was central to Australia’s World Cup win. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

It’s a fine balance though, because Head doesn’t want to lose that natural, knockabout personality that has endeared him to teammates and cricket supporters alike.

One of the humorous highlights of the recently released Test documentary on Prime Video, is when Head comes back into the sheds after making a defining century in the World Test Championship Final at The Oval, and teammate Marcus Harris has a Guinness there waiting for him.

“It just gives you better perspective again of just remembering the world we live in basically and how that looks. I want to be as authentic as I can be,” Head said in promotion for Prime which also has broadcast rights to the T20 World Cup.

“It’s not going to please everyone all the time and sometimes you look back at it (and reflect).

“I had a good time (after the World Cup) and I would change some things, but more so what got out.

“It didn’t hurt anyone, I wasn’t doing anything wrong, just enjoying everyone’s company. Whether people do gravitate to that, I do think people gravitate to that because there is a human element to it and it’s not just … robot sort of stuff.

“I’m trying to be as natural and authentic as I can be.”

David Warner is full of praise for his opening partner who he believes has got the mix right.

“I always see him train hard. I see him do his best to give 100 per cent all the time,” Warner said.

“He’s as dedicated as anyone and he’ll celebrate with a nice beer.”

Picture: Getty Images

Mitchell Starc said what teammates love about the South Australian is that he is himself.

“I think what you see is what you get. He’s a hugely popular character around the group (as he is with the punters),” Starc said.

“I think his white ball form has been incredible. The freedom that he plays with – his game has gone to the next level over the past 18 months and I think you see that off the field as well.

“He’s pretty chilled. He rides the waves like everyone. But I think he’s probably more sure about his game and about himself and that probably portrays someone who is in a really sweet spot in life with family and cricket, and he’s good fun to be around.”

If Australia can win the T20 World Cup it will complete cricket’s first ever ‘Triple Crown’ and hold the World Test Championship, 50-over and T20 World Cups all at the same time.

Head was one of the driving forces behind last year’s ODI triumph and on the back of a strong Indian Premier League tournament for Sunrisers Hyderabad has had a big start to this T20 World Cup.

Originally published as ‘I would change some things’: Travis Head opens up about rapid rise, World Cup win, fatherhood, Boon comparison