Brisbane [Australia], December 15 : Following his spectacular century against India in the third Test at Brisbane, Australian batter Travis Head expressed his satisfaction with his performance, emphasizing that playing with positivity and patience was key to his success. He also highlighted the importance of the new ball on day three for both teams.
Reflecting on his innings, Head said, “Pretty special to do this after that ton at the Adelaide Oval. It’s all about being as positive as I can. I thought I had to spend some time in the middle, and credit to the top three for sticking it out against the new ball. It made my job easier, and I could play my shots, feeling positive against the new ball. It was fun to be aggressive.”
Head also praised India’s Jasprit Bumrah, who dismissed him, acknowledging the tough challenge Bumrah posed with his skillful “wicket-taking balls.” He also joked about how when Steve Smith performs well, his own innings tends to go unnoticed.
“I just enjoy what I do, and I want to play well for the team. It’s been great batting alongside Smith, especially when he’s in good form,” Head added. “I’ve played enough against India to know what works for me, and I felt comfortable facing Jadeja today.”
Looking ahead, Head stressed the significance of the new ball and its potential impact on the game. “The new ball will do something throughout the game, and we can’t see too far ahead, but it’s going to be crucial. The top six are setting up nicely, and I’m hopeful we’ll do well in Sri Lanka and make it to the WTC final.”
He concluded by expressing his happiness for Smith’s return to form, saying, “Very pleased for Smudge (Smith), he’s had a lot against him, and it’s nice to see him back to his best.”
On the match front, after India opted to bowl first, the Australian batting lineup faced early setbacks on day two. However, a dominant 241-run partnership between Smith (101) and Head (152) helped Australia recover, with Bumrah (5/72) eventually breaking the stand. By the close of play, Australia had reached 405/7, with Alex Carey (45*) and Mitchell Starc (7*) remaining unbeaten.