IND vs AUS: Travis Head opens up about being dropped from Nagpur Test, says ‘I didn’t expect…’

New Delhi: Travis Head was not part of Australia’s first Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, even after a brilliant performance against South Africa and West Indies. He admitted that he was shocked by the decision and that there were ‘robust conversations’ with selectors and team management. Head was believed to be dropped after a poor run in the sub-continent countries of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Travis said that the conversations were ‘robust’, and everyone had different opinions. He added that he respects the coaching staff and selectors and has a strong relationship with them. On being dropped from the Nagpur Test, the batter said that he did not expect it, but then got a week to prepare himself for another chance. About opening for the first time in Tests, he said that after missing out on the first Test, he would have batted anywhere.

Head scored 12 in the first inning of the Delhi Test and showed his brand of cricket in the next inning while opening for Australia. His 43 off 46 put his team into a great position before a batting collapse on day 3.

Talking about his performance in the second Test match, Head said he was pleased with the way he was going forward and back, watching length, on the turf. He added that it was a ‘small sample piece’ but, in India, these ‘small sample pieces’ can turn the game.

About batting on spinning tracks, he said that in Sri Lanka he was looking to defend and waiting to attack, but now he has an approach to ‘attack first and defend second’.

Australia is trailing behind 2-0 in the series and with Warner injured, Travis Head might be opening the inning in the next two Tests. His ability to bowl part-time spin might also be handy ahead. The next Test match will be played in Indore from March 1 onwards.