Travis Head is the anti-James Vince. While the Englishman flatters to deceive due to his pretty batting style, Head attracts excessive criticism because of the common obsession with technique.
You would have thought Steve Smith’s extraordinary dominance with a curious approach would have reduced the fixation on technique. Yet Head still cops a remarkable amount of flak for a young batsman who has made 1053 runs at 44 in his brief Test career.
As a comparison, after the same number of Tests, Steve Waugh averaged 30, Steve Smith 34, Justin Langer 35, Ricky Ponting 38, Michael Clarke 39, Matthew Hayden 40, and Allan Border 42.
If 25-year-old Head was averaging 44 with a Vince-like technique he would be inundated with praise, widely hailed as one of the future pillars of the Test team.
Vince still has a lot of supporters in the UK, despite averaging just 25 from a similar number of Tests as Head. That must be mainly because he looks the part.
Meanwhile, Head’s detractors harp on about his ugly technique and poor shot selection. They’re not entirely wrong – the South Australian’s shot selection is his biggest weakness.
The aesthetic value of his technique is irrelevant, and the fact he’s made such a fine start to his Test career in spite of his questionable shot selection shows he still has enormous upside.
Among the many shortcomings a batsman can possess, shot selection is one of the easiest to correct. Fixing faults in a batsman’s mechanics is typically a much more complicated task.
With all the focus on Head’s technique and shot selection, what is often overlooked is his grittiness. Head is not a front-runner. He is not a batsman who does most of his best work in favourable circumstances.
(Photo by William West/AFP/Getty Images)
Look no further than these past two Tests. In the first innings of both of these matches against New Zealand, Australia were in a vulnerable state when Head arrived at the crease. In Perth, the second new ball had just been taken and was swinging and seaming wildly under lights. Matt Wade had just been bowled by a Tim Southee delivery that moved a mile.
Those final eight overs before stumps represented NZ’s path back into the Test. So often before Australia have collapsed in such conditions, undone by generous lateral movement. Instead, Head made it through to stumps, pushed on to 56 the next day and helped put Australia on the road to a match-winning total of 416.
Then on Boxing Day, the Kiwis again had a sniff when Head arrived in the middle. Australia were 4-216 on a pitch with variable bounce and the second new ball was looming. Just like in Perth, that new ball period shaped as the visitor’s chance to roar back into the contest.
Once more, Head helped blunt the shiny Kookaburra and steer Australia to a strong position at stumps. Then yesterday he overcame an up-and-down pitch to bat NZ out of this Test with a crucial 114. It wasn’t a classical ton – they never will be with Head.
He is not a stylist like Marnus Labuschagne or Kane Williamson, and he never appears impregnable like Steve Smith or Virat Kohli.
He is more similar to Chris Rogers or Simon Katich – ugly but effective.
Granted, Head is far from the finished article, as we saw in Perth where he twice gifted his wicket with loose shots. But I’m confident his shot selection will improve given Head has already showed he can learn from his mistakes.
Early in his Test career he was regularly caught square of the wicket while slash-cutting at wide deliveries. Yet not once in his past seven Tests has he been dismissed in this fashion. Since last summer, when this issue was prominent, Head has clearly made an effort to address this flaw.
Now, when he cuts, he typically gets his back foot further across the crease so he is closer to the ball, and stands taller at the point of contact so he can hit down on the stroke.
He still scores heavily square of the wicket on the off side but with less risk. That, too, can be improved upon further, but very few 25-year-old Test batsmen do not possess multiple elements of their game that require honing.
If Head can become more judicious in his stroke play then he could grow into an elite Test batsman. His upside is enormous.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Travis Head is going very well, and seems to be one of these guys who's managed to make a step up from the lesser level. (Better Test Record than FC Record). But I'm not sure about the comparison to James Vince. I reckon if Travis Head had of batted at 3 his whole test career you would find his Test Record would not be that dissimilar to Vince's. Head is a good young players and has found a niche at 6, but he's never ever going to be regular in the Top order. His technique is not built for it. Where he sits now, is the spot for him and really that spot is his to keep for a next 10 years.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
If we take a lead in to sydney would be a real opportunity to give neser/swepson some valuable experience . Im not sure there are any other players to give valuable experience too and not sure if Australia will rotate but what a chance to give someone like swepson some valuable experience. Could most certainly rest starc and lyon in sydney (their averages are not great there too) . Doubt it will happen
Paul
Roar Guru
So overrated he made more than 8000 Test runs at an average north of 40! And he was the only selector to choose sides when he was employed in that role?
anon
Roar Pro
I don’t. I’ve been demanding we play him. Same with Burns. I’d we got our selections right we eat India last summer. That failure is on Langer because I knew exactly who should have been picked.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
As most would know I'm a big fan of S Waugh but there'd be 300 Australian cricketers I like ahead of Mark. He was an elegant uninspirant.
AREH
Roar Guru
Agree Burns probably needs something substantial now in Sydney, then again, he would always be looking over his shoulder regardless. There's ample time between the next block of test cricket that all kinds of factors will influence selection by then. Head is no doubt flawed still, and the concerns of most are pretty valid. But for now, I'd hope the noise settles.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Huss was never "ugly".
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Head is comfortably ahead of Cummins. He has been the SA captain for 4 and a half seasons because of his aptitude for it. No better endorsement than by cricket power players. They are in and around the players, unlike opinion sites where folk form opinions based on who they like and who they don't. By the time Paine moves aside, Head will be well and truly established and Smith will not be required for captaincy. Cummins will not be in any conversation until he has a go at the caper at a lower level.
VivGilchrist
Roar Rookie
Obviously he’s too old to learn. Might as well drop him now.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Many great batsmen have failed in England so I'd be looking to see how this Aussie summer goes. He's only had a couple of trips to the middle and has done reasonably well. As far as bowlers now go you can only face what's delivered. And where are the contenders?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
But Marsh has had 17 more matches.
Rob
Guest
Head hasn’t played South Africa or India in India. He averages less than 30 away but has feasted on average Sri Lanka, Pakistan and now demoralised Kiwis bowling in home conditions. The bowling attacks many of these players Ronan is comparing Head with early in their careers were somewhat superior to what Head has had coming at him. There are no Donald or DeVillars, Ambros, Bishop, Walsh, Waquar Younus, Wasim Akram like Hayden, Langer, Ponting or Clarke faced early. Steve Waugh came in against the might of the West Indies. Head has not faced much in his short fruitful time at the crease to this point. When he faced some quality in England he was average at best IMO.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Mike Hussey "ugly"...you serious?! :shocked:
Old Greybeard
Roar Rookie
If you think Waugh's late cut or back foot cover drive were not pretty, then I'm not sure we were watching the same player. The greats have a knack of playing some shots that look too easy. Greg Chappell's clip through midwicket was an example S Waugh had that as well. Note, I am not knocking Head. I want him to succeed because I think he deserves to and has a good attitude.
Old Greybeard
Roar Rookie
No that would be a very tall order, however he was elegant but not diligent I often thought. I do not think much of him as a selector however.
U
Roar Rookie
They used this same argument for Mitch Marsh. It doesn’t hold water
U
Roar Rookie
He hasn’t hovered around 40 throughout his first class career at all. It’s only the last couple of years that’s the case
U
Roar Rookie
I always find it hilarious when journalists write these articles. The questions about Head’s temperament and game awareness were very legitimate. This is a guy who didn’t score a single first class century until he had around 25 fifties in that format. He does throw a start away quite often. We shall see how he goes overseas before we get all excited
Charlie Turner
Guest
Mark Waugh, the most overrated batsman ever to play for Australia. He was also a very ordinary selector and now spends his time picking fault in others.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Ryan good knock yesterday was there but paine and head had an easy relief 15 over thumping of poor bowling from saunter (5.5 an over for 12 overs i noted - he was terrible) . Head struggled against wagner before tea couldn't handle him that well at all and then once again the loose cover drive that could easily have been caught on 40 right through the hands. Watched head carefully yesterday he's got a lot of talent (better than wade) but still lacks discipline and head smarts for me and faced poor bowling yesterday as the day went on . Wagner was troubling him One positive for head - he's got a great average against spin but a poor one against fast bowling (29av against pace bowling on screen yesterday for career) . Interesting observations yesterday. Wade may lack heads ability and technique but wade does have more gritty patience . As for now they kind of compliment each other. Burns needs some runs today he's really struggled out there this test so far. Smith as predicted back to red ball at mcg much better