Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has backed the high-risk approach of star man Travis Head as they prepare for the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies. Head, who had a superb Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) season for SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) has endured a reputation for a hard-hitting opener in the T20 format. While he was superb with Abhishek Sharma at the top for SRH, he will now partner David Warner in the Australian set-up at the opening slot.
Clarke backs Travis Head
“I think it’s the way he plays. Travis Head has certainly made a conscious effort to be more aggressive, even in Test cricket. So I think when you play like that, you’re always going to take more risks and in this format, T20, he is opening the batting, he knows how important the first 6 overs are,” Clarke said while speaking to Espncricinfo.
“You know, it is maximum risk, maximum reward. I wouldn’t be too concerned about him not making as many runs as we would like… I would rather see him get a duck than a 20-ball-10. When you are batting in that position, get him or get out,” he added.
Australia are one of the favourites to win the T20 World Cup and will play under the services of Head who scored 567 runs in the IPL 2024. During the 15 matches of the IPL Head and Abhishek Sharma helped SRH break several records and helped the side reach the IPL final. However, Head had an off day in the final as he was dismissed for a golden duck resulting in a slow start for SRH. The South Indian side would later lose the IPL final to Kolkata Knight Riders.
Australia are placed in Group B where they will face defending champions England, Namibia, Scotland and Oman. The 2021 champions will start their T20 World Cup campaign against Oman on June 5 in Barbados.
Australia T20 World Cup squad
Squad: Mitch Marsh (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa. Travelling reserves: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Matt Short
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