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Refined technique helps Head hold firm

3 minute read

Travis Head is adamant he is more than just a one-trick pony, confident he is ready to grind out tough periods to go with his aggressive Ashes century.

TRAVIS HEAD of the Redbacks.
TRAVIS HEAD of the Redbacks. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

Travis Head insists he can be a man for all scenarios, confident minor tweaks to his technique have left him ready to be a gritty fighter for Australia.

Head's Test century on return last week at the Gabba was one of the great rearguard actions, hitting the third-fasted century in Ashes history (152 from 148 balls) after Australia were at one stage 5-195.

It prompted Alex Carey to claim after the win that part of Head's play was riding the highs and the lows, from throwing away starts to match-winning centuries.

But Head is adamant he is ready to tough out an innings in Test cricket, with that his approach in Brisbane before going on a run-scoring spree of 51 from 29 deliveries midway through his innings.

"I've worked extremely hard on my technique to give me opportunities like I did the other day," Head said.

"I still I still feel like I moved in really good patterns, still accessed the ball really, really well.

"I got opportunities to score and was able to take them.

"If that presents itself I'm going to try and take that. If it doesn't, then I feel like my technique is in a great space to to go the opposite way."

Head is happy to admit he is not the prettiest batter, willing and wanting to be the man to grind out tough periods.

The minor adjustments to his technique since being dropped last summer have also been made with an eye to creating consistency in his batting.

"It has been tightening up and a little bit more consistency," Head said.

"We're talking about little tiny movements. And it was almost just repetitive training.

"I didn't change it just for this Test match. It has been what I've been doing since probably Christmas last year."

The 27-year-old has also put his focus into facing right-armers coming around the wicket, after the likes of Stuart Broad terrorised Australia's left-handers in England in 2019.

That need to fight is again likely to be factor in Adelaide from Thursday, with the pink ball to swing under lights and Broad and James Anderson expected to return for England.

"We got found out a little bit in England (with quicks coming around the wicket to left-handers), personally and maybe as a team," Head said.

"I know from talking by my personal experience over the last six months I've gone away and worked really hard at that.

"How I line the ball up, where I line the ball up and where I'm trying to play it.

"You do your homework on Broady, he is a fantastic bowler and he's going to be challenging here with a pink ball.

"But also in your own batting techniques so you can get through other blokes that are similar."

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