Travis Head misses training, will need to prove fitness on Christmas Eve
By Jon Pierik
Batting brute Travis Head will look to prove his fitness on Tuesday for the Boxing Day Test after being a notable absentee from Australia’s net session on Monday.
Head is dealing with a quad issue, having limped between wickets when batting in Australia’s second innings at the Gabba last Wednesday. He did not join teammates in the field later that day.
Travis Head needs to prove his fitness ahead of the Boxing Day Test.Credit: Getty Images
Head later said he was a “bit sore” but would line up on Boxing Day.
A team spokesman said Monday’s session was optional, but Head did complete running and a gym session away from the cameras.
The team will have its main session at the MCG on Tuesday morning, when Head is expected to prove his fitness, before another optional session on Christmas Day.
The South Australian slugger has been Australia’s only constant threat with the bat against India, with 409 runs at an average of 81.2.
His 140 in Adelaide set up the 10-wicket win, while his 152 at the Gabba put the home team in an almost unbeatable position. He delivered a second-innings 89 in the loss in Perth.
Steve Smith, hoping to build on a drought-busting century in Brisbane, had a detailed hit-out in the nets, including a long session of throwdowns from coach Andrew McDonald.
Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja also worked diligently, each needing to reload after having little impact through the opening three Tests, which have the series tied at 1-1 heading into summer’s showcase event.
Labuschagne has had a largely miserable series, with 82 runs at 16.4, although there was a half-century in Adelaide, while Khawaja’s numbers are worse, with 63 runs at 12.6.
Sam Konstas answers questions from the media at the MCG, where he is expected to make his Test debut on Boxing Day.Credit: Paul Jeffers
On Thursday, he will get his fourth opening partner of the past two years, with NSW teenager Sam Konstas expected to join him at the top of the order.
He had David Warner and Steve Smith last summer before Nathan McSweeney played the first three Tests of this series.
Konstas had a short stint in the nets on Monday, playing with his typical freedom. However, he knows facing Indian destroyer Jasprit Bumrah on a green MCG deck will require a new level of concentration.
“I do, but I am not going to say what it is … just trying to put pressure back on the bowlers,” Konstas replied on Monday when asked if had a plan on how to counter the pace ace.
All-rounder Mitch Marsh is under pressure to have an impact with the bat and ball. He has only 69 runs at 13.8, while back soreness has meant he has bowled only 23 overs in the first three Tests – just six of them across the Adelaide and Brisbane matches. He bowled lightly in the nets on Monday.
Fellow all-rounder Beau Webster was added to the squad as cover for Marsh following strong domestic form.
The Tasmanian and Melbourne Stars heavy-hitter said on Monday he was ready to make a Test debut should the opportunity arise in Melbourne or Sydney, adding he was capable of bowling up to 25 overs in a day.
“Once you are in this environment, you get a real hunger to stay around,” he said.
Webster typically delivers brisk medium pace but began his first-class career as an off-spinner.
That variety of skills could help him book a ticket on the Test tour of Sri Lanka in January.
“Sri Lanka is definitely on the cards. I would love to see myself there, but I am not sure what the selectors are thinking,” Webster said.
“We know the wickets will spin. I am just as happy to wheel out medium-pacers for the country – I would be more than happy to do a job with off-spin as well.”