Travis Head hopes to bat at the top

Aussie batsman Travis Head, who went into the record books after hitting his maiden hundred against Pakistan in the fifth and final ODI in Adelaide, opened the innings with David Warner and said he hoped to continue batting at the top of the order. The duo added 284 runs together for the first wicket and fell just two short of the all-time highest partnership record.

“As a batter, I would love to bat as high as I possibly can, if there’s that opportunity as there was in this series,” said Head, after Australia clinched the series 4-1 yesterday. He opened the innings for the second time during the Adelaide game, after contributing a run-a-ball 39 in Brisbane.

“I got the opportunity at the Gabba and felt like I was in good form, but I wasn’t able to get a massive score,” he said. “I was very disappointed after that, then going back down the order, that I wasn’t able to capitalize. So it was nice to get out there today, get first crack at it and get runs. But I’m happy to do the job wherever is needed in the side. I’m happy to go game by game and just be in the side. The preparation for the Champions Trophy, I think we’re playing the right brand at the end of this series. So wherever I fit, it’s fantastic,” he added.

With the Champions Trophy slated later this year, Australia were desperately looking for an opener, who could compliment in-form David Warner at the top. Usman Khawaja and Aaron Finch have earlier been tried as options. While Khawaja opened in the remaining three games of the Pakistan series, Finch was dropped. The right-handed batsman, though, has been recalled for the upcoming Chappell-Hadlee series against New Zealand.

Also read- David Warner climbs to pole position in ODIs after Pakistan series

Head sounded confident about cementing his place in the side. “I felt like I’ve been in good form in the series but I just haven’t been able to get a big score, and it’s probably been like that since I debuted,” he said. “It’s nice and satisfying to get runs, but the head moves quickly to New Zealand and try and back up the good form and keep the ball rolling.”

Australia will now travel to New Zealand to play in a 3-match ODI series, starting January 30.