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Langer denies pressure on Head

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27th November, 2019
24

Justin Langer insists Travis Head is under no more pressure than any other player to perform in Adelaide after only returning to the Test team after the Ashes.

Head was recalled for the first Test of the summer after being dropped for the last Ashes match, and scored 24 in Australia’s only innings of their big win over Pakistan.

While on the face of it Head was the only player whose spot in the side was questioned before the Test not to perform, he was given little opportunity to.

He came in with the score at 4-468 as Australia tried to up the run rate, and was out caught down the leg side.

“I thought he played really well in the first innings,” Langer said.

“He came in (after) an incredible opening partnership and it’s often a really hard time to come in and bat.

“What was impressive was he was busy against (Yasir) Shah.

“We all know he’s a very good young player so hopefully he does well this week. There’s no reason he shouldn’t, he’s in good nick.”

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Head was moved down to No.6 for the Brisbane Test below Matthew Wade, after averaging 27.28 in the Ashes.

That was well below his career average, which still sits at 41.80.

Australia are expected to take an unchanged XI into the day-night match at the Adelaide Oval, after naming a 14-man squad for the two Tests against Pakistan.

But asked if Head was under any pressure ahead of next month’s series against New Zealand, Langer said: “No, they’re all under pressure.

“Every Australian player is under pressure every time they play. He missed out on the last Test in England, he hasn’t made the runs he was probably hoping for.

“But he made the runs in his last Shield game, played well in the first innings. He fielded well.

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“We will just be encouraging him to play his best cricket at a ground he loves.”

© AAP

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