Travis Head at centre of 'ridiculous' Aussie cricket controversy
Aussie cricket fans have been left wondering why Travis Head can't get a look into the ODI team after coach Andrew McDonald said the batter will have to bide his time.
Back in March, Head carried over his Test form to the ODI arena when he cracked 101 off 72 balls to lift Australia to 7-313 in the series-opener against Pakistan.
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He then backed up his performance on the weekend with a century in Australia A's match against Sri Lanka.
Despite Head continuing to score runs - having won the Man of the Series during the Ashes - McDonald confirmed he wouldn't be picked to the upcoming series.
And McDonald said he wanted Head to be honing in on some red ball skills ahead of the series.
“He just has to bide his time at the moment,” McDonald said about Head.
“We see it as an opportunity for him to get some really good match opportunities within that A Game building into the Test series. That’s equally important as well, his exposure to the subcontinent conditions.
“That’s been the messaging, the guys that are on deck over here, we’d prefer to see them playing than running drinks.”
Many have been calling for Head to get a chance and some fans reacted to the snub.
This is ridiculous. Should be one of the first picked.
— Ian Harkin (@sportznut67) June 10, 2022
Has to be play in ODI series. No Australian has been hitting the ball cleaner in the past 12 months.
— chin_music_20 (@chinmusic201) June 10, 2022
But Travis Head is better player and match winner than Sams,Stoinis,Wade,Carey,Inglis,Bancroft,Handscomb, McDermott, Short qnd many who are having long rope https://t.co/LobmKlalMK
— Unorthodox (@CricCrazyDPK) June 11, 2022
After Josh Hazlewood, you wonder if Travis Head will be the next Australian to revive his white-ball career for good following a few years of being left in the cold & being considered a Test-only cricketer #SLAvAUSA #SLvAus https://t.co/mKfZ7Z4MUN
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) June 10, 2022
Even Travis Head would be a good option right now.
— 🏏Flashscore Cricket Commentators (@FlashCric) June 11, 2022
why not Travis Head in the batting, hasn't he made enough runs in his last few innings?
— Bernice Howett (@BerniceHowett) June 11, 2022
Steve Smith and David Warner return
McDonald said part of the reason why it was hard to find a spot for Head was because of Steve Smith and David Warner's inclusion.
The pair haven't played together in an ODI since 2020.
And McDonald said Head could play a part in the ODI series, just not the first two games.
“We’re not saying that he won’t play any part in the ODI series,” McDonald said.
“He got an opportunity in Pakistan and took that with some brilliant ball-striking, which was seen by all. Davey comes back into that spot, obviously Steve Smith comes back in as well, so there’s two big inclusions."
McDonald admitted Head was pushing hard for selection.
The ODI series comes after Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka helped deny the Aussies a sweep of their three-match T20 series.
Australian captain Aaron Finch insisted he was happy with his team's depth a few months out from their T20 World Cup defence after two strong matches to start the Tour.
with AAP
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