Adam Gilchrist Thinks Travis Head Can Be An Ideal Opener In White Ball Format For Australia
Travis Head’s batting performance in the third One-day International against Sri Lanka in Colombo has inspired former Australia wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist, who believes the player has the potential to develop into a long-term opener in the shorter format of the game.
Head was flown in from Hambantota, where he was on tour with the Australia A side, to Kandy as a replacement for Marcus Stoinis, who was injured. The charismatic 28-year-old, who was Player of the Series during the Ashes, made an immediate impact in the third ODI at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday night, hitting an unbeaten 70 off 65 balls as Australia piled up 291/6.
With a fine century from Pathum Nissanka and an 87 from Kusal Mendis, Australia lost by six wickets. Australia is down 1-2 in the five-match series.
I Definitely See Travis Head Top Of The Order Down The Track: Adam Gilchrist
But, according to Gilchrist, Head is on his way to being a great opener. In 2022, Head has played all three formats after a stellar year in national colours that saw him rank among the finest batters in the world.
Following his ‘Player of the Series’ performance in the Ashes at home, where he hit two centuries, Head smashed a century in the ODI series against Pakistan in March and has added two half-centuries to his 50-over tally.
“I think longer-term, down the track, probably in the next 12 months or so, Travis Head will find a spot at the top of the order,” Gilchrist told SEN WA Breakfast on Monday.
“I think he’ll end up opening regularly in the one-day setup and I think that’s where he’ll be able to provide most impact with the team. He can get off to a flying start, he can go at as good a clip as anyone but he’s also got a game where he can lay a foundation for the team.”
With skipper Aaron Finch’s position at the top in jeopardy following a spate of poor performances, Head has a chance to take it, and with the T20 World Cup in Australia this year and the 50-over World Cup in India in 2023 just around the corner, Gilchrist sees Head partnering Warner at the top.
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