Australia dynamo Travis Head crowned Allan Border Medallist

Travis Head has traced his rise to cricket’s elite back to a bold innings he played in the 2021 Ashes, a moment that set him on the path to his first Allan Border Medal.

Travis Head can recall the crossroads innings which kickstarted his dazzling international career and played a crucial role in his Allan Border Medal triumph on Monday night.

Head, who was in and out of the international team in the early stages of his career, pinpointed the innings he found “clarity” in how he wanted to attack bowlers.

He understood and accepted it could have been the end for him at Test level but was willing to take the risk.

The trademark aggression paid off that day – as he smashed England to all parts – and has paid off even more since, with him now recognised among some of Australia’s greatest players.

“It goes back to that Ashes series in ‘21, whether or not I had clarity it was going to work,” Head said with a laugh.

“I had clarity on how I wanted to do it, that was never guaranteed to have success, I am very fortunate and very lucky it was able to pay off on the first day I tried to make that shift.

“I had done it in the domestic season leading up to that but Test cricket is a different kettle of fish.

“I had clarity on what I wanted to achieve and how I wanted to go about it but that’s never guaranteed, it could have been one more series and back to South Australia.

“I understood that, I was fine with that, if it was 25 Tests and done, at least I gave it a crack – I am very pleased it worked that day.”

Australia's Travis Head acknowledges the crowd as he departs after a century against India. (Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP)

Head polled 208 votes to pip Josh Hazlewood (158 votes) and Pat Cummins (147) who finished second and third respectively.

Head, 31, claimed the One-Day International Player of the Year and finished second in the Twenty20 and Test Player of the Year awards.

He fell just one vote short of equalling Hazlewood in the Test gong and three behind Adam Zampa in the Twenty20 Player of the Year award.

Head slammed 1,427 runs across all formats during the eligibility period which was an impressive 621 more than second-best Steven Smith.

Head led Australia’s runs tally in Tests and Twenty20s while he finished second in the One-Day International count despite playing half as many games as first-placed Smith.

Head’s three Test hundreds during the period, including the two series-shaping tons against India, eventually helped him claim the top award as he polled maximum votes in both of those matches.

Head quickly referred to the past 12 months as “busy” when asked how he would assess the campaign.

Australia's Travis Head is presented with the Allan Border Medal by coach Andrew McDonald in Galle, Sri Lanka on Monday. Picture: Cricket Australia

He said he would reflect on the Allan Border Medal at the end of his career but, in the short time, would look back on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy win more fondly.

“It’s nice to get the reward of that individually but I think as a team we’ve done an exceptional job,” he said.

“I’ve said for a while that that (the team) is the only thing that concerns me but it will be nice to look back on.

“I feel like the Indian series (was my highlight), the Test series just gone, it was nice to contribute – it was such a big five, six weeks.

“I know I said I felt every bit of it but to contribute and also get through that on the winning side of it was very satisfying.

“When you go through, look at your career and what series you played in, individually if I did well or not, it still goes down as one of the best I’ve been involved in.”

Hazlewood took out the Shane Warne Test Player of the Year Award for the first time while playing just six games.

He took 30 wickets at an average of 13 during the eligibility period, which was cut short by an injury sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Zampa spun his way to the Twenty20 top gong with 35 wickets — 14 more than the next best.

The leg-spinner also took the most wickets in One-Day Internationals to run sixth in that award.

AUSTRALIAN CRICKET AWARD WINNERS

Allan Border Medal: Travis Head

Shane Warne Men’s Test Player of the Year: Josh Hazlewood

Men’s ODI Player of the Year: Travis Head

Men’s T20 Player of the Year: Adam Zampa

BBL Players of the Tournament: Cooper Connolly (Perth Scorchers), Glenn Maxwell (Melbourne Stars)