Watching the Australian squad run out onto the pitch in Ahmedabad after claiming their sixth World Cup title was nothing short of heartwarming.
So in a ha[[y coincidence, it was a man named Travis Head with his mental fortitude that got them there in emphatic style.
Putting on 137 runs in the World Cup Final under immense pressure as well as scoring 163 in a Man of the Match effort to clinch the World Test Championship from India is the stuff of legend in a whirlwind 12 months for the middle order machine.
The 2024 Allan Border Medal favourite is currently in the form of his life, which has been a culmination of continued improvement over the last three years.
Cricket legends are choosing him to take up the mantle of Test and ODI captain when Pat Cummins decides to pack it in. Australian great, Ian Healy had this to say regarding Travis Head’s recent ascension: “He’s a possible captain. Who’s our next captain? I don’t think Marnus is the captaincy type but Travis Head is. He captained South Australia since he was 21”.
Head has the qualifications to take over the mantle, he has been captaining South Australia in Sheffield shield since 2015 and before that captained the Australian under 19s side.
Head also leads the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League when relieved of international duty.
There is an impending mass exodus of senior players in the test team namely, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Steve Smith.
This will almost guarantee Head will step up as vice-captain of the side next to Pat Cummins who is slightly older at 30.
With this in mind it will begin a focus shift to a new core of players for Australia which will include, Cummins, Head, Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green who could all go on to play for many more years.
Although Cummins has finally won over his many critics with his successes in 2023 and now has the right to captain for as long as he wishes, there still seems to be a prejudice amongst many against bowlers being test captains.
It bodes well for Head that he has become a well rounded player.
He is a handy off=spinner, having taken key wickets in a number of important moments at both Test and ODI level. He has also demonstrated his fielding prowess, namely his catch to dismiss Virat Kohli, which proved to be the turning point in the World Cup Final.
More than anything is Head’s tenacity and knack for delivering his best performances on the biggest stages. When needed most, he manages to get Australia out of trouble as evidenced by his man of the match performances in the World Cup semi and final as well as in the WTC final this year.
This clutch gene is what numerous captains before him possessed, even Cummins has turned up for his team numerous times to deliver Australia wins when they needed them most.
Head only seems to be getting better with age, and is now lauded as being Australia’s next great opener once David Warner calls time on his career after their series against Pakistan.
Whilst all this is still speculation, the evidence is hard to ignore. Cummins may still have five years left in the top job, but a lot can happen in that time.
There are still people advocating for Marcus Labuschagne or Cameron Green to be the successor for the captaincy after Cummins is gone.
But, selectors will use their head, not their heart when electing a replacement and as of right now, there seems to be only one man for the job.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Gemini
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
They should start right now by promoting him to VC. Smudge I’m sure would be fine with it. A simple explanation to Smudge of its a preparation for the future is all that is needed . Selectors would need to add that they are in no way wanting to hasten Smiths retirement or NOMINATED time.
chaukspp
Roar Rookie
I would like Travis Head to immediately take over as the Boss. ( No disrespect to Pat Cummins). It would be also be a bold decision to keep the infamous trio of Smith, Warner and Bancroft out of selection consideration from now on. There are a few contenders for the VC role. It would be good if Travis Head is consulted before selecting the VC. I personally believe, with all due respect to Cummins, his bowling has suffered a little bit after he became the skipper. Without the Captainship responsibility, he would blossom and potentially extend his illustrious career.
jammel
Roar Rookie
Indeed Gamechange, this reads true.
jammel
Roar Rookie
Marnus - he is young and eager now, temperamental for sure! But yes - he could be a (c) in the future. I'd have him as v-skipper under Head in Tests for about 4-5 years first! He understands the game, lives and breathes cricket. How could begrudge Marnus?! :)
jammel
Roar Rookie
I think that Test/ODI/T20 skipper is just too much for one persion. I'd go Head for Tests, and MMarsh for the white-ball forms. Just to separate the roles/make sure it is more manageable.
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
Very impulsive personality. Not suited to captain. Period.
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
Head should be made vc of Australia asap. At this stage of his career deputising for Cummins serves the future of Australian cricket more so than Smith, who has done an admirable job when called upon.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Tilting at windmills, I think
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
Lyon has said he wants to tour England and win the Ashes there. Then play into his early 40s like Hogg. That’s 2027 at the earliest.
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
You could run out of DRS reviews very quickly
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
Juggling field placings with a rampant England whilst simultaneously concentrating on his bowling was manifestly difficult for him.
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
I think Cummins wants an Ashes series win in England. It’s not on his resume yet. Captain till 2027
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
As l say, he did well in the CWC. In the Ashes not so. Maybe he'll transfer the VWC form into the Test Series
matth
Roar Guru
I guess the question is whether he has learned from that experience, in terms of juggling it all, or whether it’s simply not doable
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Ian was on 35; as in average. And my maths is pretty good. My memory is not so good since the hospital tried to kill me. Xmas Day ’21, near two years ago, they gave me blood sepsis and E.coli. l went over 42°C twice in two days. They denied it. I was good before l went there.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I was talking Greg. I did identify that. I thought you were talking Greg because Ian didn’t do that. this is me stuffing it up. I read my own dialogue boxwrong
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Not sure maths is your strong suit Rowdy. Chappell was born in 1943 and took over the captaincy in 1971, which makes him 27 or 28 when he became Test captain. He certainly thrived in the role as you say.
Dougs
Roar Rookie
Who in their right mind would think Marnus should be captain?
Mr Murray
Roar Rookie
Its a no brainer, which means the selectors arent likely to do it. After all, if they make him captain how will they be able to drop him at a moments notice again?