‘We've got match-winners throughout the order’ – Travis Head
Travis Head joined Marcus Stoinis in the centurions’ list on tour as his 106 helped the Australians pull off a 101-run win over Middlesex at Lord’s on Saturday, and Head was happy with his move up to the top of the batting order coming off.
Australia, trying to get their ideal playing XI and batting order in place in the absence of Steve Smith and David Warner, opened with Aaron Finch and D’Arcy Short in the first game, against Sussex, and swapped Finch with Head for the second.
Head anchored the Australian innings against Middlesex, scoring his runs in 141 balls with nine hits to the fence, and said afterwards that he was pleased with the chance to face as many balls as he did.
“I enjoyed getting back up the order, getting out there and getting a hit. I felt like I've been in good form. I haven't got the runs I would have liked in the early part of the season for Worcester but it's nice to get out here with the boys and perform,” he said.
“I feel like I am playing really well, I've sort of been close at the start of the summer here, and I am looking forward to the (one-day international) series starting.”
That will be on 13 June at The Oval in London, the first of a five-match series, also the first time the Australians are out on the field since the incident-filled Test series in South Africa earlier this year.
“In white-ball cricket, every batter is going to say they will want to bat as high as they can,” said Head when asked about his preferred batting position. “It's awesome going out there against the new ball, two fielders out and you get the best of the wicket.
“I've done both (open the innings and bat in middle order). I'm happy to do whatever it takes to keep playing in the Australian cricket team. I feel like I can do a job with either, feel like I've done jobs with either. I'm really comfortable with how I'm going. I just need to make sure I'm playing really well and whatever role I get, do it to the best of my ability.
“If you are in form and getting runs, hopefully you'll stay there. We want guys winning games of cricket and we've got match-winners throughout the order.”
So far, apart from Head and Stoinis, who hit 110 in 112 balls from No.3 in the first game, Finch has been in good form with scores of 78 opening the innings and then 54 from No.5. But Short, while in seemingly good nick, has only had scores of 21 and 18, while Glenn Maxwell has been a worry with 1 and 3.
Speaking about Short, Head suggested that it’s just a matter of time before the “dangerous” opener comes good. “He's a great asset to have, someone at the top of the order who can put a lot of pressure back on the bowling unit,” said Head.
“He's done that in various forms. He's probably disappointed he hasn't got the runs in the first two games but he's definitely hitting the ball well and working really hard in the nets.”