Travis Head didn’t see his controversial axing for the primary Test in India coming however says he’ll bat wherever Australia wants him.
The 29-year-old missed the Border-Gavaskar collection opener in Nagpur after being dropped primarily based on his poor document batting in Asia.
Head, the world’s No.4-ranked Test batter, was coming off an impressive 2022 in Australian situations, however struggled on the excursions of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
“It was something that I didn’t expect coming here, sometimes that happens,” Head mentioned on Saturday of his axing.
“The conversations were robust. Everyone has different opinions.
“I respect the teaching workers and selectors and I’ve a extremely robust relationship with them.
“That’s what made the conversations go the way they went, because there’s respect that goes both ways and we were able to voice our opinions.
“I wakened the subsequent morning and I’m nonetheless on tour enjoying for Australia, I nonetheless get to do what I like to do.”
Head’s rollercoaster first Test tour of India continued when he was recalled for the second match in Delhi, coming in at the expense of Matt Renshaw.
After scoring 12 batting at No.5 in the first innings, the South Australian was promoted up the order the following day after veteran opener David Warner was subbed out of the match with concussion.
It was just the third time in his first-class career Head had opened the batting.
The aggressive left-hander looked right at home alongside Usman Khawaja at the top of the second innings.
Head blazed a run-a-ball unbeaten 39 to shock India’s bowlers before stumps on the second day.
He added just four to his overnight score, but Head still top scored for Australia as they collapsed in abysmal fashion in their second innings.
“It was a small pattern piece, however over right here small pattern items could be a little little bit of gold to hopefully push on for the subsequent two Tests,” Head mentioned.
“I felt like the method was proper, hopefully the end result seems within the close to future.
“I’ve done it a lot in one-day cricket, and especially here (in India) is the one place that is as close to one-day cricket as it could be.
“It’s solely going to swing for just a few overs after which batting’s usually at its greatest.”
Australia coach Andrew McDonald has all but guaranteed Head will open the batting after Warner this week exited the tour with a broken elbow.
“Honestly, after lacking out within the first Test, I’d bat wherever that the staff wanted me to get a recreation – I’ve at all times mentioned that,” Head said.
After almost two weeks based in the Indian capital, Australia will relocate to Indore on Sunday to prepare for the third Test, which starts on Wednesday.
Steve Smith will captain the staff within the absence of Pat Cummins, who stays in Australia to be together with his significantly in poor health mom.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
