A year after his finest moment in Australian colours, Travis Head wants to reprise his role as a one-day opener in the wake of Aaron Finch’s injury.
Finch has been ruled out of Friday’s fourth one-dayer against England in Adelaide because of a hamstring strain.
Glenn Maxwell has been drafted into the Australian squad but Head is eyeing the opening batting slot vacated by Finch.
On Australia Day last year, South Australian captain Head opened the batting and struck his highest ODI score – 128 against Pakistan.
“It was a special day to play my first one-day fixture in Adelaide and then to get some runs,” Head told reporters on Thursday.
Head was dropped after consecutive failures in the series openers against England, who hold an unassailable 3-0 lead entering the fourth fixture.
And the 24-year-old has yet to be told if he’s in Friday’s team, let alone replacing Finch at the top of the order.
“Hopefully that opportunity comes, I’m not quite sure yet,” Head said.
“If I get my opportunity tomorrow hopefully I can do the same (as last year). It’s a beautiful batting wicket and plenty of runs out there.
“I feel like I have been playing well in the Big Bash but I have been disappointed in the way I have started in this series.
“I’m happy to bat wherever … as high as I can bat is nice, I think everyone in world cricket would say the same thing in white-ball cricket – bat as high as they possibly can.
“But I’m just happy to get my opportunity again after a pretty disappointing first two games.”
anon
Roar Pro
It wouldn't surprise me if they just put him in the squad so he couldn't keep on piling on runs for the Stars. What's the point of putting him in the squad for two dead rubbers if you aren't going to play him?
Bakkies
Guest
Anon he lost his spot to Handscomb in India as he wasn't scoring enough runs which was true. Smith is probably sick and tired of answering questions about a player who got dropped before the Summer started.
Sham
Guest
The message is that we will constantly mess with you. We will talk garbage about funky shots and training smarter and when the pressure to pick you is strong we will pick you but you won't play - you can carry the drinks. You see we want guys who bat poorly and inconsistently but we only apply that adjective to you not them.
Alan
Guest
So bring maxi into the squad with no intention to pick him. What is this? The selectors act like they’re some sort of Cartel “sending messages” to people, but wtf is the message.
Jameswm
Guest
Or White. Ussie is really the one who should open but he’s injured. Just open with Maxwell.
Stephen
Guest
I am sure khawaja would have come in but he sat out the thunders game on wednesday due to thumb soreness
Stephen
Guest
Shame khawaja has thumb soreness otherwise he is our best number 3 and i am sure he would have come in if he was fit
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
I would prefer S. Marsh or Khawaja to open with Warner, Maxwell to 3 and Lyon instead of Zampa. Other than that, good!
Saurebh Gandle
Roar Guru
Why not bring Khawaja back or a right hander Paine to open the innings with Carey as keeper or other way round.
Alicesprings
Guest
That coffee date must have gone pretty well! Wouldn't be surprised if Maxwell comes up with a match winning performance. No idea what the poor bloke did but has obviously earned the ire of Smith and Lehmann. Maxwell reminds me of former Brisbane Lion Jason Akermanis - drive his teammates crazy but was a match winner - maybe its Smith who just needs to relax a little??
Ben
Roar Rookie
This should be the squad 1. David Warner 2. Glenn Maxwell 3. Travis Head/Cameron white 4. Steve Smith (c) 5. Mitch Marsh 6. Marcus Stoinis 7. Tim Paine 8. Pat Cummins 9. Adam Zampa 10. Mitchell Starc 11. Josh Hazlewood
PeteB
Guest
Head was awful in the first 2 games. No way he should play ahead of Maxwell.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Must be all that quality practice Maxwell has been putting in, since the coffee with Smith.
anon
Roar Pro
Two weeks ago he was considered too lazy for the Australian team. His "funky" shotmaking was derided by Smith. In that time, I doubt he has changed his training methods in any considerable way. He's probably had four BBL training sessions in that span. If his training was a serious enough problem that he wasn't under consideration two weeks, ago, then how could he be ready for the Australian team two weeks later. The way Smith was talking it seemed it would take months or a year of concerted effort to prove he can train "properly". Not a few sessions with his BBL team. His shotmaking has certainly not changed. In the BBL he has still playing the reverse slogs and other unorthodox shots that rankled Smith. The last reason Smith gave for not selecting Smith was because he's averaged 20 over the past 20 or so innings. What's changed? He has the same average he did two weeks ago. Form certainly hasn't changed. Maxwell was in hot form two weeks ago and still is.
Mike Dugg
Guest
Wait so his shots are that funky now that White and Head have failed and Finch is injured
Ben
Roar Rookie
With Warner not scoring runs you can’t pick head and white.