Aussie cricket followers have been left baffled after Travis Head was dropped for the primary Test in opposition to India.
Australia has a brand new look aspect for the match because the accidents of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Cameron Green in addition to the anticipated raging turner at Nagpur compelled a number of modifications.
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Scott Boland, Peter Handscomb, Matthew Renshaw and 22-year-old debutant Todd Murphy all got here into the aspect, as Australia dropped a bombshell by sidelining Head for the primary Test.
Ashton Agar was additionally dropped from the final Test Australia performed on the SCG.
It was a name that left Aussie legends Steve Waugh and Matthew Hayden in disbelief after Head virtually single-handedly gained Australia the Test collection in opposition to South Africa.
With the second Test dominated by David Warner’s double-hundred and the third Test ending in a draw, Head’s 96-ball 92 on the inexperienced monster on the Gabba was crucial knock of the collection.
It took Australia from 3/27 to a primary innings rating of 218 and a lead of 66 runs, which was all of the extra vital when South Africa had the Aussies 4/35 within the fourth innings.
But he didn’t end there, hitting 525 runs for the summer time, together with a century and 4 fifties at 87.50 and a strike charge of over 95.
It was a summer time that appeared to have cemented his place within the Aussie prime 5 however with the fears of a doctored pitch to catch out left-handed batters, however his direct substitute Renshaw can also be a left hander.
He was dismissed LBW for a golden duck after stepping throughout his stump in opposition to Ravindra Jadeja.
Head’s seven Tests on the subcontinent seem to have counted in opposition to him.
He has performed in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the UAE beforehand, having scored 213 runs at a median of 21.3.
Former Aussie skipper Steve Waugh was equally flabbergasted, lashing out on the selectors for “overanalysing” the scenario.
“Hard to believe we can drop the number 4 ranked test batsman in the world and probably our best batsman in the last 12 months plus he bowls better than average off spin – let’s wait and see- maybe the Aussie selectors are genius’s! #gamble #overanalysing? #waitandsee,” posted Waugh to social media.
Hayden was nonetheless perplexed nonetheless.
“I can’t believe it,” Hayden stated in commentary. “Mark Waugh actually was right next to him, and nor could Travis Head in that brief conversation.
“To me, he was the player of the summer. Totally different conditions I know in Brisbane but his 90 there was just so damn good. He made it look like it was flat, and it wasn’t. It was an absolute raging green top. But his mindset and his ability to be able to score quickly, and he’s a good player of spin as well, just speechless.”
Dinesh Karthik stated the extra perplexing choice was his substitute — Matt Renshaw, a left-hander himself.
But Hayden stated Renshaw was “in particularly good form”, and stated he was able to play Tests in contrast to six years in the past when he debuted.
Head was shocked by the decision with News Corp’s Peter Lalor saying the South Australian spent a while with thteam psychologist to course of the news of his axing.
Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle additionally had his say on the head-scratcher.
“Very interesting selection from Australia. Travis Head? I know he js a left-hander but I thought he was the right package with his off-spin. I would have thought a tall left arm spinner who bats would be perfect,” he tweeted.
Nova radio star Ryan Fitzgerald added: “Are you f**king serious?? How much does he have to do to get an opportunity in India?? Highest run scorer in the last series and had an amazing summer”.
Source: www.news.com.au
