How Travis Head turned his career around after 2020 Boxing Day Test failure

Even Travis Head would barely recognise the batter who walked out onto the MCG 4 years in the past in opposition to India.

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Struggling for kind, Head was dismissed edging twice, pushing at balls on 38 and 17 as Australia was thrashed by eight wickets within the 2020 Boxing Day Take a look at.

The left-hander was then squeezed out of the Australia XI to permit Will Pucovski to debut within the Sydney Take a look at that adopted, leaving questions over Head’s future within the red-ball sport.

“I misplaced my (nationwide) contract after which I went to Sussex and stunk it up there as nicely,” Head stated.

“I attempted to maintain batting the best way I used to be batting and it wasn’t working.

“Then in one in every of my final video games at Sussex I received 49 off 46 within the second innings and I believed, ‘F**okay this, I’m simply going to slog’.

“And I did nicely, so I believed, ‘Why do not I simply do this?’.”

The innings in opposition to Kent at Canterbury proved a turning level in Head’s profession, as illustrated by the heights he has achieved since being recalled for the 2021/22 Ashes collection.

It has reached the purpose that when Head lands in Melbourne on Sunday forward of the Boxing Day Take a look at he’ll arrive as arguably Australia’s most essential participant.

In 33 Checks since his return to the Australian aspect, Head has been player-of-the match in eight of his appearances.

He has averaged 46.71 by means of that interval and hit 9 centuries.

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Following the opening three Checks of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy collection, Head has compiled 409 runs at common of 81.80, highlighted by back-to-back centuries in Adelaide and Brisbane.

Head stated he was a great distance faraway from the batter who walked off the MCG along with his playing cards marked 4 years in the past.

“I used to be anxious about my approach again then,” he stated.

“My concept was if I may keep on the market lengthy sufficient my aggressive strategy would take over, and I’d rating runs by being there.

“Now I’m like, don’t fret about getting out, when you can rating rating. After which if you cannot rating, get in good positions to not get out.

“I am extra anxious about runs now than anything.”

AAP