Travis Head conceded it was onerous to not discover the record-low MCG crowd that witnessed him produce his highest-ever one-day rating for Australia however stated it was of little consequence.
The left-hander revealed he was “contact and go” simply to play after sickness and a pre-game again spasm nearly prevented him from making a large 152 in his group’s walloping of England.
Solely 10,406 followers, the bottom attendance for an ODI on the MCG, had been on and Head stated he and his teammates “weren’t stunned” given the dead-rubber nature of the competition, the scheduling and the climate
However Head’s must make each put up a winner after his re-inclusion within the facet, given first alternative to nail down the opening spot left vacant by Aaron Finch’s retirement, meant the gang’s measurement was irrelevant.
“Not for somebody like me, somebody who hasn’t been taking part in. Perhaps it does for some guys who’ve been taking part in a variety of cricket,” Head stated after Australia’s 221-run win to shut out a 3-0 collection win.
“However every man has completely different motivations for getting up and taking part in. I’m ready the place I’m lucky to be again within the group, so I’m buzzing for it not matter who rocks up.
“You‘re taking part in for Australia, so I suppose, I seen it (the gang) however once more, when the ball is coming down, you are attempting to hit it, you don’t discover if it’s 10,000 or 100,000.
“I suppose we weren‘t stunned. With the place the collection was at … it’s a Tuesday afternoon, the climate hasn’t been nice, it’s been bloody freezing for 3 days.”
Head’s innings might and must be sufficient to safe him the opening spot 12 months out from the World Cup.
But it surely almost didn’t occur.
Not solely was the South Australian sick pre-game, and unable to eat, he additionally damage his again within the warm-up and wanted to go a health take a look at simply to play.
He was unable to discipline after his 130-ball innings, which included 16 fours and 4 sixes, however was by no means going to overlook the prospect to additional cement his partnership with David Warner on the prime of the order.
“I used to be contact and go,” he stated
“It wasn’t very best, again spasm once I received right here to the bottom and reached to get one thing out of my bag and it wasn’t one of the best feeling on the planet.
“I received by means of the warm-up. The rain didn’t assist as a result of clearly I did heat up indoors and people couple minutes earlier than the toss and a good bit occurring.
“However I used to be fortunate we received two hours earlier than the sport, so it type of sorted itself out.”
Head and Warner, who made 106, placed on 269 runs, the very best ODI stand on the MCG and largest opening partnership for Australia towards England.
It was the right start line for Head who is aware of he’s able to lock in for Australia for the foreseeable future.
“We work properly collectively … we feed off one another,” he stated.
“Lacking that (2019 World Cup) was robust as a result of I felt like I used to be going properly and issues simply didn‘t fall my approach.
“I‘ve (gone) away and performed three good years of home cricket to get my probability once more.
“It‘s began properly however you’ll be able to’t cling your hat on it, (I’ve) received to remain relaxed and calm and again my means.
“I‘ve performed sufficient cricket now to know what the expectations are for Australia; I nonetheless maintain a variety of satisfaction in what I’m doing however I’m much more relaxed about issues.”
