'He's got brilliant wicket-taking balls': Aussie centurion praises Jasprit Bumrah after Day 2 of BGT 2024-25 3rd Test
Australian middle-order batter Travis Head has opened up on how he manages to counter Jasprit Bumrah in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series as he admitted that the Team India pacer has 'brilliant wicket-taking balls'. The southpaw disclosed that being proactive against the right-arm speedster goes a long way.
Head scored his second consecutive ton against India on Day 2 of the third BGT Test at the Gabba in Brisbane as Australia took control of the proceedings. Although Bumrah got the left-hander for the second time in the series, it wasn't before the Aussie batter had scored 152 off only 160 balls to help the hosts reach 405/7.
Speaking to Mark Nicholas and Matthew Hayden after Day 2 in Brisbane on Channel 7, here's what Head remarked following his second BGT 2024-25 ton:
"He goes for the base of the stumps early. But I think it's about reacting. He has a good bouncer. He's got brilliant wicket-taking balls, for me it is about being positive against him. Doesn't mean that I need to score runs against him, but more about being proactive with my forward defense."
The South Australian proved to be the 30-year-old's fifth wicket of the innings as he claimed his second fifer of the series. Bumrah had earlier dismissed Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, and Mitchell Marsh. The wicket of Smith ended his 241-run stand with Head.
"I thought he was moving really well" - Travis Head on Steve Smith's first century in BGT 2024-25
With Smith notching up his 33rd Test ton and breaking his century drought, the South Australian remarked that he hardly thought the right-hander was going to be dismissed anytime soon. Head stated:
"I've always enjoyed that about Steve. I've felt that when he's in the zone and batting well, I go unnoticed. I thought he was moving really well. I didn't feel I would lose my partner at the other end, so that gives me some (freedom) too."
With a total of over 400 on the board, Australia are in a commanding position. However, they must factor in the weather too, given it's not very promising for the next three days.