When Australia touched the English shores in 2015, their first-choice middle-order composed of Steve Smith, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin and Adam Voges.
The subsequent games had Mitchell Marsh and Peter Nevill added into the mix as replacements. But the visitors couldn’t find a way to stop the English juggernaut, despite lofty expectations.
Undeniably, Australia carried batsmen who were adept and experienced enough to prosper in the conditions. As a result of failing to retain the urn Brad Haddin and Michael Clarke called it quits, leaving a gaping hole in the Australian middle-order.
Back then, Travis Head remained under the radar to represent Australia and stayed far from knocking the doors fiercely.
His turning point came when he replaced Johan Botha as the captain of the South Australian side for the 2015-16 Sheffield Shield season. As skipper, the stylish left-hander amassed 721 runs at an average of 36.05. Amid this, red-ball cricket had to wait in the wings.
Australia’s white-ball cricket also began to show signs of decline – their middle-order being in focus in both the limited-overs and the extended formats of the game.
Giving Head the nod looked a promising move, for he provided the flexibility of playing as a floater batsman. But Australia’s messed up state of affairs with regards to one-day cricket and Head’s inconsistent returns meant that he was sidelined from the one day setup.
But Steve Smith’s banishment from international cricket for a year opened up as many as three spots in the Test team, for the former Australian captain batted out to cover the wobbly line-up.
Head’s persistently strong domestic showing and an even better outing as part of Australia A in India helped seal his inclusion against Pakistan in a two-Test series.
Not that the South Australian found the recipe to succeed in the longest format instantly, but he kept himself ticking along and progressed well across series against Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Having been rewarded a spot in the Ashes, the expectations on Head had increased tenfold. Sure, Smith out-batted every batsman in the side, seizing the spotlight – however, the left-hander’s role in resurrecting the sinking ship in the first innings went less noticeable.
Head walked out at the crease after the faintest of edges plucked Khawaja’s wicket at crossroads. It was again Smith to the rescue.
It had Gabba Ashes 2017 written all over it, and the former Australian skipper knew it rested upon him to hold the fort – and the aggressiveness had to wait. However, Travis Head’s audacious yet marginally risk-free approach from the other end had its flair.
He weathered the storm brought by Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad. He marauded Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali. And in the process, the elegant left-hander overcame the anxiety heading into his maiden Ashes outing.
The second innings brought another gritty knock out of him that culminated in another match-turning partnership of the Test. Against Worcestershire, he protected the ship from sinking with a mature century.
Head has proved that he has got the temperament to succeed at the Test level quite early in his career. The 25-year old has demonstrated himself as a consummate sidekick for Steve Smith, the reliability of which may also get severely tested at least once in the ongoing series.
Although Australia’s middle-order seems to come in excellent shape, their openers must show the steel to succeed in the UK.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
That took you a month to research who he was? I posted that in early August.
Of course, Western Australian..........
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
The dropping of Graham McKenzie was worse.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Never a 'slasher' but, yes, always vulnerable.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Our 2nd best batsman in the first test. Most critical partnerships with Smith in both innings (along with our number 10 and 11 batsman in the first).
Old mate
Roar Rookie
Yeah let's hope he fixes it soon - unlike S Marsh who was a slasher his whole career and kept getting selected. In any case Head is a far better option than Handscomb and M Marsh in the middle order
Ouch
Roar Rookie
We lost there in 2013 and 2009
JC
Roar Rookie
“Giving Head…” Yes I’m 12.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
He was no leader of men. Tactically shrewd yes but the ego, oh the ego, where he went hego.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Jettisoning Katich was criminal. Precisely why you don't give a captain too much influence over selections. Clarke was a fantastic batsman and tactically shrewd, but he had (has) a massive ego. The selection snubs of guys like Cox, Hodge and Siddons are up there too.
JamesH
Roar Guru
He can be, but he's clearly working on that and deserves credit for it. He barely played a loose shot in the whole test until his second innings dismissal.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Such a nice comment. I love a stoush and you coming back like that was pretty cool. I would rate the dropping of Grimmet, and the non-selection of Boof and Katich as the selectors 3 biggest blunders. I'll never warm to Clarke because of Katich. Every Aussie team should have a Croatian!
Simoc
Guest
While Llehman was a fantastic batsman, there just wasn't a spot for him over the incumbents. He was past his best by the time he was picked and used to walk across his stumps and try and hit most things leg side as Lara did at the end of his career and Katich did. In his prime he was good as any batsman on the planet. I preferred batsman like Damian Martyn and Mark Waugh because they were better to watch. I watched M Waugh hit a ton at the MCG on Boxing Day once continually placing the ball over the top of second slip for four, and Courtley Ambrose was not amused. Border at the other end. So Head is delivering now and we always want more. But I don't mind him getting 40 every time he bats. Our middle order has been rolled so often in the last decade.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
But Lehmann could only score when he got picked. In all other test teams, at the time, Boof would’ve been in any of those sides top three. Many, their very best! —– Signed: an obnoxious Croweater
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Mark was dillatente. Boof marched to his own tune. ---- Steve Wore bouncers Mark Wore Zegna.
Old mate
Roar Rookie
Too loose outside off for mine
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
And like Rod Laver he didn't get to play in the big show in his prime. ----- I used to say the only way he could get into the team was to score 25 Shield centuries, per season, for 5 years in a row. And he was dropped straight after scoring 98.
Captain Cranky
Guest
Head has been very impressive so far, even as far back as that difficult Pakistan series in the UAE where he played a significant role in the First Test draw. I can understand some of the criticisms about not converting 50's to 100's to some degree, but IMO scoring 100's has become an overvalued commodity in recent years. I guess this is a personal preference - and I'm not a selector - but I much prefer a player like Travis Head who averages around 50 so far at Test level despite not fully cashing in on his 50's, compared with inconsistent players who score the occasional huge flashy century, but interspersed with lots of failures. This overvaluation of 100's IMO creates a more selfish, individualistic cricketer. I prefer the reliable player who digs in, which is a sign of mental toughness. Every team needs this type, and I believe #5 in the order is the perfect slot for him to help the team recover from ordinary starts. The biggest criticism that could be leveled at Head (level- Headed, ha!) is that propensity to flash outside off, but I'm sure he'll work hard to curb this. Every sign so far indicates that he places a very high value on his wicket and he plays for the team.
Rob JM
Guest
And don't forget Mark Waughs fielding. His main flaw was getting out the moment he made his hundred, and falling asleep if the top 3 scored runs!
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Head has a history of being a slow starter when it comes to scoring centuries. He did not score his first Shield ton until his 32nd game. Let him settle in and the runs will come.