“This is my first time at a big tournament and I am looking forward to it”
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Australia all-rounder Travis Head enjoyed a highly successful summer and is looking to carry the momentum into the Champions Trophy in England next month.
In the five-match ODI series against Pakistan, Head scored 270 runs, which included a century and a fifty, at an average of 67.50. He also played a part with the ball as he took four wickets.
Head’s career-best knock of 128 came in the fifth ODI of that series, where he put together a 284-run opening stand with David Warner, which is now the highest partnership for the country in ODI history.
In the three-match ODI series against New Zealand that followed, Head amassed 58 runs, which included a half-century, at an average of 29. He also claimed a wicket at an average of 21.
The 23-year-old also represented the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he accumulated 151 runs, which included a fifty, at an average of 30.20 and snapped up two wickets.
Given his performances as of late, Head is hoping he has done enough to convince the selectors that he is worthy of being in the playing XI for Australia’s Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand at Edgbaston on June 2.
“I’m hopeful, I finished well at the end of the Australian summer … this is my first time at a big tournament and I am looking forward to it,” he said. “I feel my game is suited to batting anywhere from one to six. It’s just a case of getting the opportunity and doing my best to stay in the team.”
In the 22 ODIs he has played since making his debut in June 2016, Head averages 37.20 with the bat and 46.90 with the ball.
In that time, the Adelaide native feels that the consistency he has shown proves that he has what it takes to play at the highest level.
“I’ve been pretty consistent since I started and that is all you can ask for,” he said. “I wanted to get that big score out of the way. If I can keep doing that and playing good cricket then I will keep my place in the team.”