Head seeks ways to tackle spin

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 on December 6.

South Australia's Nielsen (100), who is also a left-hander, negotiated Ashwin (2-122) 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 is 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 righthanders, they will play Ravindra Jadeja who is another

“It is not just about one spinner. If we play six right-handers, they will play Ravindra Jadeja who is another good bowler.” - Travis Head

good bowler. I think it will be a good contest."

Head also said Australia will look to be aggressive in their action rather than with words. "I haven't played much Test cricket. 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.