On the surface, Travis Head’s start to Test cricket has been excellent.
With 939 runs in 25 innings and averaging a touch over 40, his numbers certainly stand up to scrutiny. Already a vice-captain at 25, there’s clearly long-term plans for the hard-hitting lefty.
But while his shot-making and talent are unquestioned, the South Australian has done little to dampen lingering questions about his application.
Head’s concentration again betrayed him in Perth, dismissed caught by specific New Zealand fields in both innings. In the first, a deliberately wide Tim Southee delivery was smashed directly to one of two extra-cover fielders.
“That’s not smart batting,” Michael Vaughan said in commentary.
In the second, he flicked another Southee delivery – this time an attempted bouncer that only just reached hip height – directly to leg gully.
“He must know he (leg gully) is there?” Ian Smith asked, perplexed.
Isolated, these mistakes can be looked past. But Head’s tendency to throw his wicket away isn’t rare. It was the same venue against India last year that Head was caught in both innings at third-man. Thrown a wide trap, he fell in both times by slashing hard outside off stump.
AP Photo/James Elsby
The first innings dismissal against New Zealand was the sixth time in his short career he had passed 50 and not pushed onto three figures, and Ricky Ponting was critical in his assessment.
“He’s got to eliminate these mistakes,” Ponting said.
“They’ve got a very straight field set. They’ve actually set him up for that…
“He can stand there and hit that as hard as he likes, he’s not going to get any runs for that actual shot. He’s not going to pierce that field. If he takes a bit off that hit and just pushes it squarer out to the deep point guy he gets a single and he gets off strike without taking any risk.
“He’s just got to think it through that little bit more.”
At 25, Head is the same age as Marcus Labuschagne but the latter’s maturity at the crease is far more advanced.
Labuschagne’s idiosyncratic similarities to Steve Smith have been lightheartedly highlighted, but one key attribute he shares with the world’s best batsman is his ability to understand the field in place and play accordingly. Both are constantly looking around the field, counting and assessing the shots they can and can’t play.
Head, by contrast, will at times back his shot-making ability irrespective of the field set. The first innings dismissal was symptomatic of that.
“It’s one thing to be positive,” Ponting added. “It’s one thing to score quickly (but) sometimes you just have to look at the game, look at how the opposition are trying to get you out, sometimes you pull your ego back in as a result of that.
“He’s just let another great opportunity go.”
Head, as I wrote before the Test summer commenced, deserves time to solidify his place – calls for his axing are reactionary and short-sighted.
Despite issues with concentration, his shot-making ability and tendency to move the scoreboard along from the outset are great signs this early in his career. He also rarely goes out early in his innings and has reached double-figures in 20 of his 25 Test knocks.
But to suggest his average of 40.82 after 15 Tests (better than almost all modern Australian greats) makes him exempt from scrutiny is as short-sighted as those calling for his axing.
Justin Langer values players who tough things out in the middle, fight through difficult phases when the bowling side may be on top, and reap rewards down the line. “You can’t score runs in the change rooms” is one of his favoured phrases.
Head’s tendency for concentration lapses is clearly at odds with this. And while he remains one of the brightest batting prospects in Australian cricket, he has some distance to go before fans can expect regular, extended stays at the crease.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
56 is is exactly what the team was looking for.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Nor me. I defer
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Sure oz , he just needs to get his own house in order with his batting, he's been given repeated matches because selectors and most of us know he's got some wonderful talent but its time to focus on his batting and make sure he's locked down that position and then needs a strong foreign tour . Most of the other more recent young world wide captain candidates such as root for example held very strong solid batting form before being appointed captain , head has a lot of work to do . Sadly not a lot of test cricket in 2020 either so all a bit moot for a while
Rob
Guest
Head won nothing against the Kiwis. Starc, Burns, Labuschange and Lyon were the difference against there opponents. Head just happened to be on the same team. I’m confused with the Heads role at 6 costing him converting runs? This argument was never used to defend Maxwell. Further more Wade seems to be converting in the same situation. The Australians were never in a hurry in Perth from what I saw. The plan was to bat for a long period to help rest the Hazlewood less attack. NZ are ranked 2 in the world because they attack opponents weaknesses. There tactics are varied but effective. Australia had the luxury of batting first and attacking the top order under lights deep into day 2. Had NZ won the toss it may have been a different game.
Freddy from Bondi
Roar Rookie
Sorry Ben, I'll be sure to check in to see when it is OK to mention a kid as someone to "keep an eye on" on a sports opinion page. From now on I'll wait till they score their 1st test ton before I dare mention that they might have what it takes. Clearly I'm not saying he should be in the frame for test selection now....but when you're watching the Thunder play later this BBL and you find yourself paying extra attention on a young bloke with massive raps on him, you can thank me...
dungerBob
Roar Rookie
That's very disturbing Paul. You really should see someone about that :stoked:
Rob
Guest
Bowled or LBW 48% of your Test Career is not good defence IMO.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
In Shield cricket he has many scores upward of 40/50. That's how he achieved test selection. 60, 70, 80 are outstanding FC scores. This rounded "century" expectation is only a media stat.
Rob
Guest
Travis Head has a Test average of 40 which seems to be his saving argument when his position in the team comes into question. When you look at his Test career closely you find he averaged 152 against Sri Lanka at home K.Patterson averaged 144. In those 4 innings he has scored almost a 3rd of his test runs? In his other 21 completed Test innings he has averaged 30.2? Head averages 52 at Home and over half his Test innings have been on familiar road like surfaces in Australia. He has some how avoid playing against South Africa or in India? Renshaw averages 63, Khawaja 52 against the new ball in home conditions? Maxwell could fell well aggrieved by the oppertunities he has received when compared to Head. I thought Head had an issue with spin so he was not exposed to India in India now I'm wondering after the Ashes series if he has problems with pace bowlers attacking his stumps? Pace bowlers from all countries appear to find ways off getting through his defence. Everyone knows now there is a problem with Head converting starts by throwing his wicket away. There now appears to be many issues that need addressing IMO.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
"...with 10 overs under lights to go before the close, the obvious strategy should have been to play fairly conservatively to get through the next day". Yep - that is what he did! Many others have tried and failed on that count but hey, if there is a negative to be had ...
Rob
Guest
Head does get out to good balls as 48% of his dismissals have come from balls bowled at the stumps? England targeted his stumps and he averaged 27.29 with a 42not out and 51. 6 out of his 7 dismissals were bowled or LBW. His away average currently stands at 28.45 and he has never played India in India. Maxwell has an average of 26 and has played a large percentage of his games against India and his bowling and fielding is vastly superior to Head.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Head’s technique looks better than Burns’ to me. Mind you were talking 1v6
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Doesn’t it imply his defence is in good order though?
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Agreed, but I love getting such an early call on somebody. Same when Ponting was near FC selection - it’s exciting
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I agree but whilst his temperament is short of that required he’ll struggle to be an automatic selection and thus a captaincy candidate
Graeme Smith
Roar Rookie
Head obviously has massive talent, but is somewhat immature. I only followed the NZ test via cricinfo commentary, but with 10 overs under lights to go before the close, the obvious strategy should have been to play fairly conservatively to get through the next day. I think 3rd or 4th ball he hit a 4 that the cricinfo commentators described as “very brave”. ie. a two sided compliment. A ball or two later he got out trying another “brave” shot. The good thing is that talent is something you can’t train, you have it or you don’t, but maturity is something that can be trained and will come.
2 hundreds in the Ashes, 60 in Brisbane plus a not out in Adelaide followed by some pretty gusty batting in Perth, I dont think he will be too worried. He's pretty much guaranteed to tour Bangladesh next year if he bags himself another half century this series and if his form is half decent in the second half of the big bash. A big hundred in the next 2-3 tests would definitely cement Wade's spot for the next couple of years I think though.
100 FC games for an average just under 39 with only 11 hundreds, if he hasnt solved these critical issues by now he's just going to be another Shaun Marsh in 5 years time, picking him because he's the selectors pet and ' captaincy' material. He's honestly just another bog average Shield cricketer, nothing more.
Yep thats the way bro pick an 18/19 year old who hasnt even played FC cricket yet and start talking him up as the next No. 6 for tests, sure way to give him mental issues
U
Roar Rookie
But he does the same thing at shield level