Travis Head keen to have another crack at ODI cricket

Travis Head, who has been named in Australia’s white-ball squad to take on Pakistan in March, believes his one-day cricket has come a long way, and is keen to have a second crack in the format after failing to seal a permanent spot in the side during his first stint. 

Head last played ODI cricket for Australia in 2018, but the 28-year-old has since been in scintillating form for South Australia in List A cricket, averaging nearly 60 while striking at over 120 in 23 games since the start of 2019.

With there being a vacancy at the top of the order due to the selectors' decision to rest David Warner against Pakistan, Head is keen to return to the 50-over format at the top of the order and make an impression.

"At the moment, I'm probably just trying to take whatever opportunity arises but if that (opening) spot's available, I've played well there and I've done it in the past," Head was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

"Anywhere in that top order, going on my past couple of years in domestic cricket batting at three for South Australia but knowing I can open the batting as well, gives us good versatility around the order.

"I'd just love to be back in the team and have another crack at it.

"It's been a long time between games, and I feel like my one-day cricket has come a long way."

The 28-year-old, who since moving out of the white-ball set-up has been an integral figure in Tests, believes playing Test cricket has made him a better player.

"I've worked extremely hard on Test cricket, but that in itself has made me a better player, and a more compact player and able to score around the ground.

"Playing international cricket, no matter what format it is, makes you a better player and I hope I can make an impact when the time comes."

After being in and out of the Test side, Head established himself as the permanent No.5 in the middle-order through a stunning Player of the Series showing in the Ashes, in which he averaged 59.50 while striking at 86. 

But according to the 28-year-old, it is games away from home that make the legacy of players. 

"I think what defines you as a player, the away series," Head said. 

"You look at Smithy's record in India, when he goes away to India and plays on those wickets it takes him to a different level.

"On the flipside, you can't chase that, you can't change yourself, you can't try and be someone that you're not. It's definitely challenging and you definitely get tested and I think that is where you can take your game to a different level."

For the tour of Pakistan, Australia will be without a full-time head coach, but Head threw his weight behind Andrew McDonald, labeling the Victorian ‘a great thinker of the game’.

"He's a great thinker of the game and communicator," Head said of McDonald. 

"It's exciting to go into a series with something new and fresh."