Travis Head has plans for the Indian offie
Adelaide, Dec. 2: Left- handed Australian batsman Travis Head is looking to pick the brains of his junior state teammate Harry Nielsen to tackle formidable off- spinner R. Ashwin during the opening Test against India starting here on December 6.
South Australia’s Nielsen ( 100), who is also a left- hander, negotiated Ashwin ( 2122) well and scored a hundred in the warm- up game between Cricket Australia XI and India. “Harry Nielsen ( Cricket Australia XI) played him well enough in the practice game, so I am looking forward to having a word with him ( about facing Ashwin),” said Head ahead of the first Test.
Ashwin has had a lot of success against left- handers during his career and Australia are likely to have at least four lefties in their playing XI but Head said his batsmen are capable of countering the Indian’s threat. “I faced Ashwin a couple times in IPL before this, so don’t have much experience of playing him in Test cricket. But we have batsmen who can play spin well,” he said.
“Look, it is not just about one spinner. If we play six right- handers, they will play Ravindra Jadeja who is another good bowler. I think it will be a good contest.”
Head also believes Australian pacers will be able to put pressure on India skipper Virat Kohli, who has toured Australia twice in the past, scoring five centuries — including three in Adelaide. “I don’t have to bowl to him so I don’t need to work out his weaknesses. But I think our bowlers will have it under control,” said Head.
“Facing our three pacers is hard work as it is. He is human after all, and if we can put him under enough pressure, it might work. “We know he is a good batsman, but we have the bowlers to do a job. We have one of the best bowling units in world cricket so it will be an exciting battle. Hopefully we can come out on top.”
There has been a talks about changing Australia’s team c u l - lot of ture, following the yearlong ball- tampering bans on Smith and Warner. Head said Australia will look to be aggressive in their action rather than with words.
“I haven’t played much Test cricket. In ODIs fielding on the boundary, it is not easy to get talkative. But I am sure we will look to play fierce cricket and look to be aggressive. Words are cheap. It is all about actions,” he said.
“We will hit the lengths hard and be aggressive in the field. We will attack the ball and even when bowling defence, look to attack. We need to cut down runs and create pressure. “When I am batting, I will try to get into the game and just look to compete. That’s what it is about — enjoying, playing with a smile and winning the contest for your team.”