2nd Test: Travis Head Reflects on His Match-Winning 140 Runs
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Adelaide, Dec 8 (NationPress) Australia’s left-handed batsman Travis Head, who received the Player of the Match award for his explosive 140 runs off 141 deliveries at his home ground against India, stated that it was gratifying to be among the runs again at this venue.
Head showcased his typical brilliance with free-flowing and aggressive strokeplay, marking his eighth Test century comprised of 17 fours and four sixes, significantly aiding Australia to secure a 152-run advantage, which was crucial in their victory by ten wickets in the second Test.
“It’s great to get some runs again. Last week, I felt like I moved well, and I believe I’m in good form. The dressing room is fantastic, and while some might think otherwise, it’s a close-knit group. We understood that if we showed up and performed well, nothing was certain, but we aimed to give it our all, and now we can move forward,” Head remarked during the post-match discussions.
“I was pleased to come off after identifying key moments throughout the innings. I managed to get the momentum going, and the session last night was exceptional. Pat instills great confidence in me to perceive the game and play it as I wish to,” he added.
“I felt it was an excellent opportunity with the second new ball to accumulate as many runs as possible and apply pressure on them. The past couple of days were sweltering, and I anticipated the new ball would be challenging,” Head said during the post-match presentation ceremony.
Fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who claimed eight wickets in the Adelaide Test—including dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal on the first ball of the match, a milestone he has achieved three times in his Test career—emphasized the importance of leaving behind the events of Perth, where they faced a significant 295-run defeat.
“It has been a successful week. We performed well overall. Following the first Test, we recognized the need for improvement, and we accomplished that. A very positive victory. There was a lot of external noise after the last game, but we left Perth behind,” he stated.
When asked about the secret to his outstanding performance in Adelaide, Starc replied, “I can’t pinpoint it exactly. My approach doesn’t change. Perhaps I’m bowling slightly fuller lengths. The pink ball behaves more like the white ball than the red ball. We were very proactive with both bat and ball, and we reaped the benefits. There’s nothing quite like hitting the stumps with the ball.”
“I’ve added a delivery that moves away and can still bring one back. I’ve always had that air speed and swing, but I used to leak runs. Developing the wobble seam has improved my accuracy over the years. Achieving longevity in this sport requires hard work that often goes unnoticed,” he elaborated.
Marnus Labuschagne, who scored a solid 64 in the first innings, discussed how Australia managed to rebound in Adelaide. “Last week, we lost the Test match and were labeled the worst Test team ever. This week, we concluded on day three with the series tied at one-all. We’re aware of our direction. It’s encouraging to see so many people engaging in discussions about the game.”
“It was nice. There was substantial chatter during the week, but I reverted to my strengths and hit numerous cricket balls. It’s a bit premature to comment, but I managed to find my rhythm during that innings,” he concluded.
