Travis Head banks on familiarity for success
Travis Head harped on the significance of the Indian Premier League in helping Australian cricketers adapt to conditions in India.
Nearly each time Australia has visited India since the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008, players and members of the support staff from the Australian camp have spoken of finding subcontinent conditions far more agreeable because of the exposure. It was no different on Thursday (September 14).
“Most of the guys have played in the IPL, so they know these conditions well,” Head said in Chennai. “Personally, I have played some IPLs. I haven't played a great deal but I have been around here a bit. I don’t have to change my game too much to the change in conditions, but there are some changes. It’s also very important to stay relaxed and open-minded.”
Head has played for Royal Challengers Bangalore for two seasons, scoring 151 runs and picked up a couple of wickets in seven games with his occasional offspin.
Among other advantages, players get to study the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents from close quarters. Perhaps, Head has learnt a thing or two about how he and his side could dismiss Virat Kohli, his captain at the Bangalore franchise, but none of that came through in his words.
Measured in his assessment of Kohli, Head said, “He’s a very good worker. He’s very good at match day. He just plays the conditions really well. He adapts very quickly. And he just gets in that match zone, and I guess he’s pretty good.”
One of the issues Australia has on this tour is a dearth of frontline spin options. But Head felt that Glenn Maxwell and he could complement Ashton Agar, the left-arm spinner, and Adam Zampa, the leggie, well.
“I have been working on my bowling. I think we can do that role. We both bowl different styles and I think we can make a difference,” said Head, who has played 25 ODIs for Australia since his debut last year.
Head also emphasised the need for Australia to work on its fielding before the series gets underway.
“Fielding can win you a game or lose you a game. Just the other day, we weren’t as good as we could have been. Australians of the past have prided themselves on their fielding. We have to do that again.”
This comes a day after David Saker, the head coach in the absence of Darren Lehmann, came down on Australia’s fielding against Board President’s XI in a warm-up match, also in Chennai, where the first of five One-Day Internationals will be played on Sunday.