“I thought f**k this, I am just going to slog” - Travis Head recalls revival after losing Australian contract
Australian middle-order batter Travis Head recalled how he plotted his revival after being dropped from the national team during the 2020-21 home Test series against India. With Head revealing that he obtained good results by playing his natural game, the left-hander decided to resort to it.
After scores of 7, 38 and 17 in the two Tests against India, the South Australian lost his place in the side as Will Pucovksi debuted in Sydney. However, the left-hander has emerged as one of Australia's biggest match-winners since returning to the side for the 2021-22 Ashes series. The series against England saw him win the Compton-Miller medal for his 357 runs in five Tests.
Speaking to AAP, the southpaw recollected how he couldn't perform well for Sussex after losing his national contract. However, he cited his innings of 49 off 46 deliveries was the turning point, stating:
"I lost my (national) contract and then I went to Sussex and stunk it up there as well. I tried to keep batting the way I was batting and it wasn’t working. I was trying to still nurdle instead of just backing myself. Then in one of my last games at Sussex I got 49 off 46 in the second innings and I thought f**k this, I am just going to slog. And I did well, so I thought: ‘why don’t I just do that?’"
The 30-year-old played critical roles in Australia's World Test Championship (WTC) victory and 50-over World Cup win, sizzling with centuries against India on both occasions. He has also amassed over 400 runs in the ongoing series against India.
"I’m more worried about runs now than anything else" - Travis Head
Head also suggested that his mindset is now trusting himself enough to know that if he spends time at the crease, runs will come comfortably, adding:
"I was worried about my technique back then. My theory was if I could stay out there long enough my aggressive approach would take over, and I would score runs by being there. Now I am like, don’t worry about getting out, if you can score score. And then if you can’t score, get in good positions to not get out. I’m more worried about runs now than anything else."
Meanwhile, the five-Test series between Australia and India is locked at 1-1 ahead of the Boxing Day contest.