AUS vs NZ, World Cup 2023: Travis Head strikes previous harm blues with blistering ton

Australia had proven plenty of religion in Travis Head by naming him within the World Cup squad regardless of his damaged hand that he sustained somewhat over six weeks in the past towards South Africa.

After repaying that religion with a blistering hundred towards New Zealand on Saturday, the opener stated it felt good to be a part of the squad regardless of being at dwelling in Australia.

“…Definitely at home, it was nice to be kept in the squad. I understood a lot of things had to go right, personally and with the team. So, I didn’t really feel the pressure today. I just wanted to come out and play and contribute,” he stated.

Other than lowering itself to a 14-member squad as Head may hyperlink up with the crew solely later within the event, Australia was additionally able to sacrifice an all-round possibility and transfer Steve Smith to the No. 4 spot to accommodate the left-hander’s return to the eleven.

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It was Head’s eagerness to seize the opener’s spot, which he stated he had been eyeing for 2 years, that ensured all of the dangers the administration took paid off.

“… Obviously, with [Aaron] Finch playing for such a long period and their [with David Warner] partnership being so good and the limited chance I had, I was able to take and sort of waited a couple of years for that spot to open up,” he stated.

Head returned to the ODI facet in March 2022 after nearly 4 years and struck a 107-ball 101 towards Pakistan in his first recreation on return. Only after Finch retired in September final 12 months, did Head and David Warner come collectively to kind a deadly opening pair.

On Saturday, the duo added 175 runs in 19 overs for the primary wicket, and Head stated that going onerous within the first PowerPlay was a method that helped them with their method.

“If the runs are going to be presented, we’re going to try and take them… We understand that it’s not going to be like that every day, but if we can be as a positive as that I think it gets us both in better positions in our technique…,” he stated.