"I couldn't care less if I bat anywhere from one to seven, if I bat at nine, I don't care" - Travis Head on preferred batting position for BGT 2024-25
Australian batter Travis Head remains unbothered about his batting position for the upcoming 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy against India. The two teams will battle over five Tests, starting in Perth on November 22.
Much has been made about Australia's batting order, especially ace batter Steve Smith's position after David Warner's retirement earlier this year. While Smith opened briefly in Tests, his return to the customary No. 4 spot for the India series was recently confirmed with the news of all-rounder Cameron Green being ruled out coming through.
It means Australia will now have to look for an opening partner for Usman Khawaja and Head opened up on the same. He was quoted as saying by Cricket.com.au.
"I think it's going to be an old-fashioned bat off and I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone thinks over the next couple of weeks. From my side of things, I've got no favourite position. I've only got a position that is best for the team and what the team needs from me. I couldn't care less if I bat (anywhere) from one to seven, if I bat at nine, I don't care. I've said that in the past, I just want to play in the Australian cricket team and any position in the Australian cricket team you take."
Head has found his home at No. 5 for Australia in Tests since his return to the side in the 2020-21 Ashes.
The southpaw helped the Aussies become the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) winners with a brilliant 163 at No. 5 in the final against India.
"I'll probably make decisions in the future around family more" - Travis Head
Travis Head and his wife Jess are set to welcome their second child in the upcoming weeks. The Aussie batter said that his future decisions related to his playing career will revolve more around his family.
The 30-year-old will be on paternity leave and will miss the home ODI series against Pakistan from November 4 to 10
"I'll probably make decisions in the future around family more, and what drives me to play is probably more my family and my teammates. I'm not really interested in the individual stuff or where my career might go to, aspirations from an individual perspective. I want to provide for my family, I want to play with my mates and I want to enjoy what I'm doing. I think I've done that really well over the last couple of years," Head said in the same interaction.
"I still love playing cricket, I love playing Test cricket and I love playing for Australia and I'll continue to do that but … I think it's important to support the family as well. I've spent a lot of time away this year and a lot falls on Jess at home. It's a very busy schedule (for Australia) next year as well, so it's hugely important from a family side of things to spend some quality time. We won't get this time back," he added.
Head last played for South Australia in the opening game of the Sheffield Shield against New South Wales in the second week of October, scoring 30 and 10 in the two innings.