2nd Test: Travis Head Remains Unfazed by Jasprit Bumrah's Challenge
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Adelaide, Dec 6 (NationPress) With the day-night Test match against India set to take place at the Adelaide Oval, Australia’s left-handed batsman Travis Head mentioned that he is not overly worried about the threat posed by fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah while using the pink ball.
Bumrah, who is about to celebrate his 31st birthday on Friday, delivered an impressive performance in the first Test at Perth Stadium, where he secured eight wickets, including a lethal five-wicket haul, contributing to India’s victory over Australia by 295 runs, thus taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
"He tends to target the stumps frequently. His use of the short ball is notable. He restricts scoring opportunities, but I believe that if you are proactive with your footwork and consider where he’s likely to dismiss you—either lbw or caught behind—you can handle him better," Head stated during an interview with Channel Seven before the match.
"I focus on that and respond accordingly. He is regarded as one of the best, but he is just another bowler, and it’s still the same pink object coming towards me. Therefore, I am not too stressed," added the local player.
Renowned former India batsman Sunil Gavaskar expressed his anticipation for watching Scott Boland bowl in Adelaide with the pink ball. Boland is stepping in for Josh Hazlewood, who is sidelined due to a side strain, marking his return to Test cricket after 18 months.
Boland has participated in only one Test at Adelaide Oval, achieving figures of 3-45 against the West Indies in 2022.
"He will appreciate bowling with a ball that exhibits movement after pitching. Observations indicate that the surface has a fair amount of grass, which could make him a different threat. He possesses height similar to that of Hazlewood," Gavaskar noted.
"Hazlewood’s absence is significant, as he bowled exceptionally well. Before the series commenced, I identified him as a key player for the Australian side due to his capability to make the ball rise off a good length, and if Boland can replicate that, he will find himself among the wickets," he concluded.
