Australian batter Travis Head after scoring a century throughout the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match in opposition to New Zealand.
| Photo Credit: MOORTHY RV
Australia had proven lots of religion in Travis Head by naming him in the World Cup squad regardless of his damaged hand that he sustained a bit over six weeks in the past in opposition to South Africa.
After repaying that religion with a blistering hundred in opposition to New Zealand on Saturday, the opener stated it felt nice to be a part of the squad regardless of being at house in Australia.
“Definitely at home it was nice to be kept in the squad. I understood a lot of things had to go right, personally and with the team. So, I didn’t really feel the pressure today. I just wanted to come out and play and contribute,” he stated.
Other than decreasing itself to a 14-member squad as Head may hyperlink up with the workforce solely later in the event, Australia was additionally prepared to sacrifice an all-round possibility and transfer Steve Smith to the No. 4 spot to accommodate the left-hander’s return to the eleven.
It was Head’s eagerness to seize the opener’s spot, which he stated he had been eyeing for 2 years, that ensured all the dangers the administration took paid off.
“Obviously, with [Aaron] Finch playing for such a long period and their [with David Warner] partnership being so good and the limited chance I had, I was able to take and sort of waited a couple of years for that spot to open up,” he stated.
Head returned to the ODI aspect in March 2022 after nearly 4 years and struck a 107-ball 101 in opposition to Pakistan in his first recreation. Only after Finch retired in September final yr, did Head and David Warner come collectively to type a deadly opening pair.
On Saturday, the duo added 175 in 19 overs for the first wicket and Head stated that going arduous in the first PowerPlay was a method that helped. We perceive that it’s not going to be like that on daily basis, but when we will be as optimistic as that, I believe it will get us each in higher positions.”
