Sunil Gavaskar and Matthew Hayden question Australian selectors for dropping Travis Head in first Test; Dav Whatmore gives reasons

Former cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Matthew Hayden criticized the Australian selectors for not playing Travis Head, who played a vital role in Australia's turnaround later, in the first Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, World Cup-winning coach Dav Whatmore has come out in support of the selectors, backing their decision of excluding Head from the squad for the first Test.

Since his debut in the UAE five years ago, Head has only managed to average 21.30 in Tests in Asia, which happens to be the third lowest for an Aussie batter with a minimum of ten innings. Outside Australia, he hasn't scored a single half-century, let alone touch the three-digit figure. In the previous tours to Pakistan and Sri Lanka last year, he was dismissed by spinners five times, with scores of not more than 25. 

However, Head's numbers at home have been impressive as the southpaw has emerged as a linchpin of the Australian middle order, mainly so in Tests played at home. After showcasing a stellar performance against South Africa, Travis Head managed to earn a call-up for the India tour. But, on account of his ordinary performances in Asia and the presence of quality left-arm spinners in the Indian team, he was left out of the squad for the first Test in Nagpur.

Match-up theory in cricket helps teams rethink and analyse players' strengths and weaknesses, both in batting and bowling, and revamp their playing XI in a manner to gain an edge over the opposition. But, it can get dicey when used for an in-form player.

The left-hander was finally picked in the squad for the second Test after Australia endured an embarassing loss in Nagpur. Head ended up being Australia's highest run-getter in the second innings, scoring 43 runs on an occasion when the entire batting line-up was reduced to ruins by the wrath of Indian spinners. He also scored an unbeaten 49 in the second innings of the third Test, taking Australia home with nine wickets to spare.

This made Head the talking point of the tournament as many former cricketers, including the likes of Sunil Gavaskar and Matthew Hayden questioned the selectors for making him warm the bench in the first Test.

“You scratch your head and think what on earth was he doing in the dressing room in the first Test, "The man is in red hot form. He’s had a brilliant Australian summer. Why would you want to cast your mind back to what’s happened earlier? Just go with current form, ” Gavaskar was quoted as saying on Fox Cricket last week.

“You said something before that I just think was so spot on in terms of the assessment of selection right upfront in this tour – Australia did not play their best side,” Hayden added, concurring with Gavaskar's statement.

Dav Whatmore comes out in support of Aussie selectors; gives reasons for Head's exclusion

The debate has gained much traction in recent times, as experts with varied opinion are coming onto the table to open up the discussion. Recently, celebrated coach and former Australian cricketer Dav Whatmore joined the debate, albeit with a different opinion than that of Gavaskar and Hayden.

Whatmore, who coached the Sri Lankan side to win the 1996 World Cup, rather backed the selectors' decision of not going with Head for the first Test. When asked by Hindustan Times during the Legends League Cricket in Doha, Whatmore said that the nature of pitch during the first Test in Nagpur wasn't conducive for left-handers and thus, Australia's decision to not play Head was only correct. He also credited Head for his turnaround later in the series.

"The stats coming in before the series wasn't kind to both of them, particularly Travis Head. And given the nature of the pitch and the decision made not to play him in the first Test match, I thought was the correct decision. Lots of other people thought it was otherwise. The way the pitch was prepared for left-handers that was just an unfortunate thing. There wasn't an iota of doubt. But credit to him, for turning things around," said Whatmore.

Whatmore also spoke about the ongoing fourth Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium, saying that eventually the surface will play a crucial role in determining the course of the game.

“I haven't been looking at any visuals of the game but everything revolves around the surface (laughs), which is going to deteriorate then scoring runs will become little harder, ” he added.

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