Head hunting Kiwis for capital punishment

The Australia captain heaped praise on him following a career-best 52 at the SCG but Travis Head is not about to rest on his laurels as the Chappell-Hadlee one-day series shifts to Canberra.

The Australia and New Zealand squads arrived in the nation's capital today ahead of Tuesday's second ODI where middle-order young gun Head is hoping to turn another start into a seriously big score.

"I've said previously, I want to win games of cricket for Australia - I want to be there at the end," Head said today. "Unfortunately I wasn't able to do that yesterday but I was able to contribute to a win, which was kind of satisfying. 

"But tomorrow hopefully it's another big score or a not out, or a really big score - and not another start."

Steve Smith said "the way (Head) played was beautiful" after the skipper and the South Australian tyro put on 127 together for the fifth wicket across the middle 20 overs of the match in which Australia romped to a 68-run win.

"He played some really good cricket … he's improving every game and he's in some good form off the back of a Shield ton," Smith said on Sunday night. "I'm sure he will continue to improve the more he plays."

Head's ambition is plain; the 22-year-old wants to turn his starts into centuries. His 52 in Sydney was his career best, and second half-century in 13 matches that has seen him fail to reach double figures only twice.

"It was nice of (Smith) to give me a good wrap, but I don't feel I've cemented (my spot in the team)," he continued.

"It's hard to stay in the Australia side, you've got to be always making runs and always performing and that's what I've got to do.

"I'm happy with my performance (in Sydney) but it can always be better.

"I was disappointed that I'd done the hard work to get to fifty and to build that partnership into a 127-run partnership and not go on with it in the last 10 overs.

"If I can keep performing I'll stay in the side and that's what I'll be trying to do."

Quick Single: 'We're better than that': Guptill

Such is the wealth of one-day cricket talent at Australia's disposal, Head's run in the one-day team, including the past 12 consecutive matches, has kept the likes of Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner sidelined.

And with Manuka Oval curator Brad van Dam preparing another batsman-friendly strip that will offer something for the fast bowlers, Head is confident of an unchanged line-up.

"When you win like we did (Sunday) I'm not expecting (the team) to change too much," he said.

"The pressure is always on, that's the same for everyone in the side. You've got James Faulkner and Glenn (Maxwell) on the sidelines – both fantastic players in any cricket side – and you've probably got five other guys banging down the door as well.

"The competition for spots is always on. You've always got to be performing and getting runs to stay in the side."

Quick Single: Head's start could delay Maxwell return

While Head rated his 52 from 60 balls at the SCG as his best contribution to the Australia side thus far, he's just as keen to make an impact with the ball.

His ability to bowl tidy off-spin is just another factor making it harder for Maxwell to force his way back into the Australian outfit. Head has taken seven wickets in four Sheffield Shield matches this season and is eager to bowl if called upon for Australia.

"I've done a lot of bowling at training, done a lot of bowling for South Australia this year, I just didn't get an opportunity in the last match," Head said.

"I'll get my chance at some stage throughout the series I hope.

"I've definitely been working on it a lot and I've got some good results in Shield cricket from my bowling." 

International cricket is more affordable than ever this summer, with adult tickets from $30, kids from $10 and family packages from $65 across every day of international cricket. Price for purchase at match. Transaction fee from $6.95 applies to online and other purchases. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.