Australian cricket legend Matthew Hayden believes the selectors have rather a lot to reply for after Travis Head’s blistering knock steered the guests house in opposition to India within the third Test.
Head was omitted from the primary Test in favour of Matt Renshaw, with the previous’s earlier struggles on the subcontinent seen as the principle reasoning for the choice regardless of his beautiful kind within the Australian summer season.
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It was a name Head himself “didn’t expect” however needed to settle for after “robust” conversations with the selectors.
After Renshaw battled within the first Test, Head was instantly drafted again in for the second Test the place he scored 12 within the first innings within the center order.
Head was then thrust into a gap function alongside Usman Khawaja as a consequence of David Warner struggling a concussion, and went on to prime rating for the Aussies with 43 off 46.
Warner then flew house as a consequence of one other damage, permitting Head to say the opening function all for his personal within the third Test.
Although he mustered simply 9 runs within the first innings, he blasted a matchwinning 49 not out off 53 the place he was pressured to bide his time earlier than changing into his explosive self with the bat in hand.
After witnessing Head’s smashing spell out within the center, Hayden was left puzzled how the selectors might have ever thought to drop him.
“Australia just did not play their best side (in the first Test) – Travis Head should have been just about No.1 picked in that side,” Hayden mentioned on commentary.
“He was brilliant last (Australian) summer. Who cares what happens a few years ago, he was in form!
“Needed to play that (first) Test. And now he is showing exactly why you pick him.
“He has got wonderful intent to score, his strike rate is enormous.
“Gets that momentum and that belief in the batting changeroom. He is a mover and a shaker.”
Several others within the cricket group shared Hayden’s view.
Although Head possesses an unimaginable strike charge, Fox Cricket’s Brad Haddin was most impressed with how the opener patiently out the spinning storm from Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja earlier than exploding to life.
“He was five off 24 balls,” Haddin mentioned.
“Then he trusted his technique and then he accelerated.”
Head himself downplayed his function in Australia’s triumph, insisting it was all about biding his time and taking the possibility when it got here.
“It’s nice to contribute,” Head mentioned in his post-match interview.
“Not everything goes your way and it’s never always going to be clear sailing.
“So, nice to stay prepared, the coaching staff and players and the vibe that we’ve created has meant we can get on with the job and make sure when that chance comes I’m ready enough to take it.”
Head and the remainder of his Australian teammates will now flip their consideration to the fourth and closing Test of the collection in opposition to India which begins on March 9.
Originally revealed as ‘Never, ever drop him again’: Head leaves selectors with egg on face after matchwinning knock
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
