Whether to Jofra Archer and the England attack, or South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, Australia star Travis Head plays his shots. He speaks ahead of Adelaide Oval Test
“Whatever’s been thrown at them, they’ve had an answer to. It’s really set up the platform for our innings, the few times they’ve batted,” Cummins said of Australia’s new opening pair.
“You’ve seen people like Marnus [Labuschagne] and Steve [Smith] walk in after that as well and really get on the back of that and start their innings well, so it’s certainly got that momentum, got that scoreboard ticking over and started our innings brilliantly.”
Head in front of the famous Adelaide Oval scoreboard.Credit: Matt Turner
For Head, the burgeoning union with his former state teammate Weatherald still has plenty of “upside” to grow.
“I feel like I’m into the series well,” he said. “[I] would have liked to get a score last week, [and] I did get lucky in the first innings with the dropped catch, but those things happen. [I] would’ve loved to get us over the line in the second innings.
Welcome to Travelaide: The scene in Head’s hometown ahead of the third Ashes Test.Credit: Daniel Brettig
“But I felt the partnership went well, got us off to a good start, [was able to] kickstart our innings, and it flowed from there. There’s upside still in the bag, so it’s exciting.”
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All eyes will be on Archer, particularly after his confrontation with Smith at the end of the Gabba Test. England captain Ben Stokes has forecast a return to similar “niggle” if a cornered touring side think it will help them keep the series alive.
“I don’t think he’s got any more kilometres on the speed gun – he’s probably maxed it out with how fast he bowled in the second innings,” Head said of Archer. “But I thought even in the first innings he bowled fast.
“His first spell was exceptional. I was sort of stuck down that end and got 24 balls of that spell, and the first sets [in each innings] were tough and challenging and fast.
“It’s been a while between Tests, but he’s a competitive guy, very much in the contest, and everyone will work on motivation in different ways, but a fair bit has played out since, so we’ll wait and see.”
One thing is certain so far as Head is concerned: Adelaide Oval’s short square boundaries will be in his sights to continue a grand tradition of South Australian cricketers making the most of its dimensions.
Head is the batting descendant of Ian Chappell, David Hookes and Darren Lehmann, but by the end of his career it is likely he will surpass all of them for Tests and runs.
“This wicket and this ground suits certain players in both teams better than the first two Tests,” he said. “I’ve got my eye on a few guys who will play well for both teams, and how guys play and adapt.
“That’s the hardest part of playing in Australia – how diverse the wickets and the grounds are and how unique some are size-wise. When you go through five games and try to get rhythm, you’ve got to play different to Optus [Stadium], to the Gabba, to here, to Melbourne and Sydney.
Travis Head’s remarkable century in the first Ashes Test.Credit: AP
“As a batter, it’s where you’re trying to score and how you’re trying to score, especially here, and for the bowlers, it’s lengths and what are they trying to achieve.”
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