Impressed by England’s audacity in Pakistan, Australian batsman Travis Head will eschew his conservative method on spinning pitches and enter the Check sequence in opposition to India aiming to dominate the opposition’s bowling assault.
India and Australia will face off within the subsequent four-Check Gavaskar-Border Trophy, beginning with the opener on February 9.
“Following the way in which England performed in Pakistan, I in all probability regarded again and wasn’t as optimistic as I might prefer to be in opposition to spin in these sequence,” Head mentioned, as quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald , earlier than the staff left for India.
“I really feel like the way in which I’ve performed on this sequence in opposition to spin – I do know it is fully totally different being in Australia – however the extra optimistic I’m, the higher I’m with my ft and the higher I’m in defence.”
Travis Head goes BANG! 💥 #BBL12 pic.twitter.com/dmeWPgKBbR
— KFC Large Bash League (@BBL) January 24, 2023
“We have seen that with the quick bowling this summer season. After I’m chasing the ball, the entrance foot protection might be one of the best and I believe I’ve to go there with a optimistic mindset, not a defensive one.” Within the earlier three sequence in Asia, in opposition to Pakistan in 2018 and 2022 and in Sri Lanka final 12 months, Head struggled to get the gradual bowlers down.
His earlier outings within the sub-continent fetched him 213 runs from 11 innings at 21.30.
“I believe I may need been a bit defensive in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, you all the time have a ball to your title there,” Head mentioned.
“However you recover from there, we’ve got quite a lot of time to settle in there, get the lay of the land and perceive what my function is likely to be. It could possibly be low scores, it could possibly be excessive scores, you may have to get massive scores or a 40, 50, 60 may win you a Check match.”
Handscomb within the reckoning for the Nagpur Check
Australia are bringing Peter Handscomb again into the center order for his skill to play spin if Cameron Inexperienced doesn’t get well in time for the sequence opener in opposition to India on February 9, head coach and selector Andrew McDonald has indicated.
Recovering from a damaged finger, Inexperienced can also be named within the Check squad alongside Handscomb.
“It is actually necessary,” McDonald was quoted as saying within the Sydney Morning Herald.
Peter Handscomb goes by means of some gloves. He would be the reserve keeper in India #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/oSpWGJNkZc
— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) January 29, 2023
“It has been nicely documented over a time period that his recreation in opposition to spin is great and we really feel he is in all probability again to what he produced two or three years in the past.” Each Handscomb and Inexperienced are present process batting apply on customized “scarified” pitches within the sweltering circumstances at North Sydney’s Bon Andrews Oval to expertise match simulation forward of the four-Check sequence that may decide their remaining qualification of the World Check Championship.
Handscomb was additionally a member of their final tour of India in 2017. He additionally gives utility worth by doubling up as a wicketkeeper.
“A whole lot of runs in Protect cricket and on these slower surfaces. He is able to protecting as nicely so it provides us all of the choices if Josh (Inglis) is not there and if one thing have been to occur to Alex Carey there’s flexibility there but additionally within the close to subject, bat pad , a lot appreciated when touring the subcontinent.
“We see him as an necessary right-handed choice. I’ve quite a lot of lefties, so a vital right-handed choice for us. Ought to there be late modifications or Cameron Inexperienced not making the primary take a look at, we expect we’ve got some good choices.
“We worth his (Inexperienced) batting at the start, he is a batsman in our high order and we worth that, his bowling is a bonus,” McDonald added. “The place he’s positioned in the meanwhile, his greatest problem is bowling. There is a lack of cost there, and it is one of many key causes round us to get into this camp and mode early.
“He has to see the surgeon once more tomorrow, and that is about 4 weeks, the place he must be given the nod that that bone has healed. I do not need to discuss medical phrases right here, however mainly after that, I ought to construct it up and see the way it goes with every session.”
“Confidence constructing is the primary factor, getting ready him to reach the primary Check match, to have a adequate time, that would be the vital query,” the coach added.
Australia have returned to coaching on injured skipper Mitchell Starc and are more likely to be late within the tour forward of the second Check in Delhi.
McDonald additionally welcomed North Sydney Oval curator Kieran Meurant, who ready an analogous pitch to the one in India.
“We really feel just like the surfaces we’ve got there are similar to what we’ll face in India, which could be very troublesome to duplicate,” McDonald mentioned.
“However we really feel we have come near it, so the bottom employees have achieved a improbable job.”