Left-hander will do whatever's best for the team as Australia prepare for their opening tri-series clash
Flexible Head happy to fit anywhere
As Australia search for a winning combination in limited-overs cricket, Adelaide Strikers captain Travis Head says he’ll bat anywhere in the order for the benefit of the national team.
Australia blew off the cobwebs yesterday with a training run at Harare Sports Club having travelled from England to Zimbabwe for a T20 tri-series against the hosts and world No.1 outfit Pakistan.
The Australians posted 193 in the one-off T20 international against England at Edgbaston on Wednesday but it wasn’t enough as the home side won by 28 runs to see Aaron Finch’s charges slip one spot to third in the ICC T20I team rankings.
Head made 15 from 10 balls in Birmingham batting at No.4, a position he has occupied in six of his 11 innings at T20I level and in four of his last five matches dating back to February 2017.
Last summer he batted at first-drop for the Adelaide Strikers in their successful KFC Big Bash League title run, but in one-day cricket the left-hander has performed best when facing the new ball.
In 10 innings opening the batting he averages 48.40 with one century – 128 against Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval in 2017 – and four half-centuries, three of which came at the back end of the ODI campaign against England that ended in a 5-0 series win to the home side.
Blessed with a squad packed full of dangerous power hitters, including the likes of captain Finch, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, D’Arcy Short, Marcus Stoinis and Alex Carey, Australia’s selectors have plenty of options when it comes time to select the batting unit for Monday’s first match against Pakistan.
But the flexible Head says he’ll slot in anywhere in the order if it helps his team get a much-needed win on the board.
"I’ve always said I’m not too bothered where I bat," Head told cricket.com.au in Harare.
"Whatever’s best for the team is where I’ll fit.
"I think I fit in anywhere in the order and can play a role for the team.
"I got my chance at four the other night (at Edgbaston). I didn’t play as well as I would’ve liked.
"I’m working hard at the minute and wherever my spot fits I’ll fit."
Image Id: B26E511EDC024188B2C22D1E18A0CCB6 Image Caption: Langer laying down the law // cricket.com.auThe week-long T20 tri-series is head coach Justin Langer’s second series in charge after being named Darren Lehmann’s successor following the events in South Africa.
Langer’s first campaign didn’t go to plan – a 5-0 whitewash at the hands of England and a T20I defeat – but Head says the new mentor’s approach is having a positive impact on his game.
"He’s been working us really hard, relaxed but fair," Head said.
"He’s really hard on basics. Me personally, the last four weeks have been the best that I’ve trained.
"It hasn’t reflected the way I’ve been playing with a couple of starts without a big score.
"But that shift in the training mentality and how we think about the game is definitely a shift and is something I’ve really enjoyed."
The T20 tri-series begins tonight when Zimbabwe face Pakistan from 6pm AEST, with all matches shown live into Australia on Fox Sports.
Qantas Tour of Zimbabwe
Australia squad: Aaron Finch (c), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth
Pakistan squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Haris Sohail, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Usman Khan Shinwari, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sahibzada Farhan.
Zimbabwe squad: Cephas Zhuwao, Chamu Chibhabha, Brian Chari, Tarisai Musakanda, Malcolm Waller, PJ Moor, Tendai Chisoro, Kyle Jarvis, Brandon Mavuta, Blessing Muzarabani, Chris Mpofu, Ryan Burl, Solomon Mire, Hamilton Masakadza, Wellington Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura, Ryan Murray
July 1: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan
July 2: Pakistan vs Australia
July 3: Australia vs Zimbabwe
July 4: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan
July 5: Pakistan vs Australia
July 6: Australia vs Zimbabwe
July 8: Final