Travis Head has previously been noncommittal about his prospects as Australia’s next long-term Test opener, but after smoking his third hundred of the Ashes summer, he concedes it’s “likely” he’ll remain at the top of the order moving forward.
The 32-year-old has terrorised England’s inexperienced bowling attack since his unexpected promotion during November’s series opener in Perth, accumulating 600 runs across five matches at a blistering strike rate of 87.59, comfortably his highest individual tally in a Test series.
On Tuesday, the left-hander cracked a 166-ball 163 during Australia’s first innings at the SCG, his 12th Test hundred, putting the hosts in a commanding position on day three of the New Year’s clash. He currently averages 60.00 as a Test opener, the second-figure in history (minimum 15 innings).
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Speaking to reporters at stumps, Head was asked whether he was surprised at his recent success at the top of the order.
“Extremely,” he replied.
“I’m not normally the one that’s doing the heavy lifting as such. Marnus (Labuschagne) and Smudge (Steve Smith) over the last period of time have been the heavy-lifters, the guys that have really driven games.
“I’ve been very lucky batting around those guys, so it was nice to pull my finger out and help them out.
“I would have liked to have thought I was good enough to be able to have a series like I have, but to go out and do it and be as consistent as I have been is very pleasing.”
Australia doesn’t have another Test match scheduled until August, but Head admitted it was “likely” he would open the batting during this winter’s two-match campaign against Bangladesh. However, he expected the Test side to remain fluent with its batting order pending opposition and conditions.
“This rolling order, where we think guys are going to match up and where we’re going to fit guys in, I think is still where my head’s at,” Head explained.
“With the leadership of the group and the selectors, we’ve been pretty open about that and how we match up and how we want to best suit this team.”
He added: “We’ve got a lot of time, haven’t we? One more hit to get through, and then we’ve got a nice, lengthy break.
“We’ll have time to reflect on this series, to plan for Bangladesh, South Africa and New Zealand and what is a heavy red-ball part of next year. The masterminds will go to work and set the team up how they think we’re going to best be able to win Test matches.”
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Head previously had an underwhelming Test record at the SCG, averaging 29.60 across five matches, but he now boasts the honour of scoring a Test hundred in seven different Australian states and territories, becoming the first cricketer to achieve the feat.
“I haven’t really scored a run here ever at the SCG, because I’ve always felt like I’ve come in with lots of runs on the board, catchers in front of the wicket, probably a bit of a slower wicket, stump to stump, hard to score, trying to move the tempo of the game. I’ve probably found that challenging in the past,” he explained.
“So to be here and face a new ball with no catchers, and get away and get to a start and put pressure back on the bowlers, I enjoyed it.”
Head passed the 150-run milestone for the seventh time in Tests on Tuesday, but he has never scored more than 175 in the game’s longest format.
Asked about the statistical anomaly, and whether he was frustrated having missed another chance to score a maiden Test double-hundred, he responded: “Beggars can’t be choosers, pretty s*** stat, isn’t it?
“I’d much rather (scores of) 160 to 170 than zero to ten, so can’t complain about that.”
Throughout his knock, Head chatted with the umpires and walked singles, while footage has circulated of the South Australian running backwards between the wickets.
Quizzed about the antics, Head explained that he was simply enjoying his cricket, relishing the opportunity to entertain his teammates.
“On the national stage, I try and rev up our changeroom as much as I can, slightly take the piss and enjoy myself,” he said.
“Walking singles and running backwards and carrying on is more just to get a rev-up out of our boys, and it keeps me enjoying everything.”
He added: “I love playing cricket for Australia. I’m enjoying myself. Some people take it more seriously than others.
“Yes, it’s a big series. Yes, we want to win. But at the end of the day, it’s game of cricket.”
Australia was 7-518 at stumps on day three, leading by 134 runs, with interim captain Smith (129*) and all-rounder Beau Webster (42*) unbeaten in the middle.
The fifth and final Ashes Test between Australia and England resumes on Wednesday at 10am AEDT.
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