Mark Watt demands Australia's blood; Travis Head fulfils it with a historic knock

Australia batter Travis Head reckons that Scotland left-arm spinner Mark Watt's statement before the first T20I between Scotland and Australia motivated him for the match. Head revealed that he read Watt's statement in the car on the way to the ground.

Ahead of the three-match T20I series between Scotland and Australia in Edinburgh, Mark Watt warned Australia that Scotland will come hard at them and look to win the series.

"I think we're after a little bit of blood this week, and not just win a game but win the series", Mark Watt was quoted as saying by Cricket Scotland.

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Travis Head feels Mark Watt's "little bit of blood" statement motivated him against Scotland

After his blistering knock of 80 off just 25 balls, Travis Head spoke about Mark Watt's comments. Head stated that he read about Watt's statement in the car and had a giggle with his teammates which motivated him to play a match-winning knock.

"I read Watt's statement in the car and I had a giggle with a few of the boys. I was like, all right then let's do it," Head said after the match.

Mark Watt in PC - we're after a little bit of blood this week, and not just win a game but win the series.

Travis Head - I read Watt's statement in the car and I had a giggle with a few of the boys. I was like, all right then let's do it. pic.twitter.com/DhkXACtmg6

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 5, 2024

Scotland and Australia faced each other in the group stage of T20 World Cup 2024 as well in which Australia had a tough time but somehow managed to beat their opponents. Scotland gave its best and even had the upper hand at one stage.

But it was Head once again who took Australia past the finishing line. Along with Head, Marcus Stoinis and Tim David also made important contributions. Mark Watt finished with 2-34 in that match.

Travis Head smashes a blistering fifty to take Australia home

Coming to the match, Travis Head was in fine form in the match as his breathtaking knock took Australia home within just 9.4 overs.

The left-handed opener smashed 12 fours and 5 sixes during his knock. However, he was dismissed in the seventh over of the match by Mark Watt.

But he had done his job by then as Australia were in the driver's seat. Australia captain Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis also made key contributions for Australia with the bat.

Head has been in superb form for the past year or more in all the formats of the game. He played key roles in Australia's World Test Championship (WTC) and the ODI World Cup win in 2023. In both the tournament finals, Travis Head was adjudged the Player of the Match.

Even in the T20 World Cup 2024, Travis Head had an excellent time with the bat as he smashed 255 runs in seven innings at an average of 42.50 and a strike rate of 158.38. He finished as the third-highest run-getter of the tournament and the highest for Australia.