Travis Head, one of the few Australian batters who played well during the Perth test, scored a fighting 89 runs in the second innings. However, India was relentless in their campaign to send Australia packing. The attack from the Indian side was led by none other than Jasprit Bumrah.
Travis Head spoke to ICC after the Perth loss and said a few things about the game.
“Knowing it quite well and I have been fortunate to be put in a couple of really good positions to bat,” Head said on Monday. “I’ve come in at some nice times. And growing up and playing on this wicket, it probably suits my game a bit more being (shorter) square of the wicket and the way that the ball can react off the wicket. It’s going to be a challenge but I feel like I’m moving well, feel like I’m in a good space, and go out and try and execute that.”
He was one of the key wickets for the Indian side in that test. Jasprit Bumrah outsmarted him to take his wicket. Head admitted that Bumrah has been a tough challenge for him and his teammates. He also said that Bumrah will go down as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time.
“Jasprit is probably going to go down as one of the greatest fast bowlers to play the game. We’re finding that at the moment, how challenging he can be and it’s nice to play against that. It’s going to be nice to look back at your career and tell the grandkids that you faced him… Hopefully, I only have to face a few more times as he’s been challenging.”
“I’m best when I look for the cues, when I’m just preparing to watch the ball hard and staying fresh mentally. I think I’m lucky that I’ve faced him a few times and come across him a fair bit. So I just go back over recent times, and times I’ve faced him. We’ve been very fortunate to have played against him a lot so I know what’s coming, it’s just making sure I’m prepared and fresh to start well.”
He also reflected on the absence of Josh Hazlewood. He said it was a massive blow for the team in the second test. But he also said that there is enough quality in their team to trouble Indian batters.
“He’s a huge loss, I thought he was one of our best. He bowled exceptionally well without some luck at certain stages,” Head said on Hazlewood. “He’s always going to be missed but we’ve got some pretty good stocks in the sheds with Scott (Boland), with Sean (Abbott) and Dog (Doggett). Dog had an exceptional A series, Sean’s been on the radar for a long time and Boland has been doing his thing. He’s been in the wings for a while so it will be nice to see him get an opportunity if he does, and I think he’ll suit the pink ball really well. He’s had great success against South Australia at Adelaide Oval for a long time.”