Travis Head to stay back with Australia ‘A’ squad to prepare for Test series

Travis Head, who on Friday smashed his 11th List A ton, will not be joining Australia’s squad for the three-match ODI series starting June 14th, despite being in red-hot form in 50-over cricket. Head, since mid-2019, has averaged over 60 in List A cricket, and in March marked his return to the ODI side by blazing 101 and 89 against Pakistan opening the batting, but the Australian selectors have opted to not draft the 28-year-old into the ODI squad for three-match series. 

Instead, the left-hander, as preparation for the Test series, will be playing in the unofficial Tests against Sri Lanka ‘A’, starting June 14 at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Hambantota.

"I'm realistic in that Davey (Warner) and Finchy are back together at the top of the order, and then you've got a middle-order that's so set in that side, it's a hard one to get into," Head had earlier told cricket.com.au prior to flying out to Sri Lanka.

"I'm probably the unfortunate one who's just out of that ODI starting XI, but it's great to be back in the squad and I hope I've been able to force the selectors hand a bit over the last 18 months or so with domestic form and then in Pakistan.

"I'll try to keep banging the door down, and that's all you can really do."

The unofficial ODI series between Australia ‘A’ and Sri Lanka ‘A’ ended 1-1, with the hosts winning the second game on Friday by chasing down 313. Earlier, Australia ‘A’ registered a seven-wicket victory in the first game courtesy an unbeaten ton from Cameron Green. 

Marcus Harris, Nic Maddinson, Josh Inglis, Matt Renshaw and Scott Boland are among the big names set to feature in the two unofficial Tests against Sri Lanka ‘A’.