Australia batter Travis Head lauded the Australia team management for giving him real clarity about his role in the side following his stunning knock of 152 off 148 balls, which played a key role in his team’s massive 9-wicket win over England in the first Ashes Test.
He also said that winning the first Ashes Test by nine wickets is a great starting point for Australia in the ongoing Ashes series going forward against England.
Head played a counter-attacking knock of 152 off 148 balls to bring Australia out of trouble from 195/5 to 425 in the first innings against England in the first Test of the ongoing Ashes 2021-22 in Brisbane.
The left-hander also credited David Warner (94) and Marnus Labuschagne (74) – who have added 156 runs for the second wicket – for setting him up and allowing him to take the opportunity against England.
He was involved in a 70-run stand with his skipper Pat Cummins, who just added 12 runs in their alliance for the seventh wicket to help Australia post a huge 425 on the board in the first innings in reply to England’s first innings total of 147 in the first Ashes Test at The Gabba.
Head in the post-match presentation ceremony: “The staff, Pat (Cummins) and JL (Justin Langer) were fantastic with the communication, gave me real clarity and a clear mind and great to get the nod and great to contribute. It is a great starting point for us as a team. Davey-Marnus partnership that set me up, late in the day to take my opportunity.”
Speaking about his emotions while batting, he said: “It was a tough wicket, rode my luck, took my opportunities and it was nice to contribute and this morning was fantastic. The whole moment, the crowd and the emotion of Test cricket - you ride that wave, I was going quite hard and there was plenty of emotion there and riding that with Starcy (Starc) was fantastic.”
Head also lauded his teammate Nathan Lyon, who became the third Australian bowler to take 400 Test wickets after Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath on Saturday.
The 27-year-old, “He came back beautifully, yesterday he would've been disappointed not to have the results he would've liked but he stayed tough and hung in there. We knew the rewards were around the corner, everything he gets, he deserves. He is an excellent worker, an excellent team-man. Fantastic to see him get the results he did and come back really strong for us this morning.”
He was also eager to bat at his home ground – Adelaide – the venue for the second Test, a day-night affair, starting on December 16-20.
Head signed off by saying, “I will enjoy this and can't wait to get home, one of the great weeks in Adelaide, I'm sure it will be sold out and I can't wait to get there.”
(With IANS Inputs)
