He takes team up with him

Head tells how Smith elevates the Aussies to whole new level

TRAVIS Head has lauded the impact of Steve Smith, saying he provides his Test teammates with an elevated sense of confidence because he “sucks the momentum” out of the opposition when he walks to the crease.

The Australian vice-captain said there was also a relaxed vibe when batting with Smith after the pair put on 194 runs in two partnerships across the opening Test.

“Not a lot was said between us. It was all short, sharp and shiny. He goes about it his way and stays extremely strong mentally,” Head said.

“He’s obviously in great form so it’s nice to be at the other end and he obviously takes a bit of pressure off.

“They are trying to think of some plans to him so I was able to go a little bit under the radar. In a partnership, he’s fantastic to bat with. He sucks the momentum out of the opposition and the way he batted in this game, it was nice to be at the other end with him.

“You know he’s not going anywhere … so hopefully a little bit more batting to do in the next four Tests with him.”

The Edgbaston win was Head’s first Test with Smith, having begun his career in the baggy green surrounded by batsmen who are no longer in the team.

But playing with that Smith-infused confidence in his Ashes debut, the South Australian made 34 and 51 as solid returns in a winning team. He had a crucial 64-run partnership with Smith in the first innings, after the Australians collapsed to 3-35, then the pair put on 130 secondinnings runs as Head racked up a sixth half-century in his ninth Test.

“I’m happy with the way I started, and obviously disappointed not to go on with it in the first and second innings,” Head said. “It was fantastic to build that partnership in the first innings, then not to go on with it was tough.

“But the way I’ve been able to start in both innings, and adapt to the conditions, I’ve been fortunate enough to have a few hits in English conditions in the A tour. I feel like I’m in good touch with the tour match this week and then into the second Test, so for me it’s about continuing to do the basics really well and capitalising when I get the opportunity.”

Head wasn’t among those given a break after the Birmingham match, and was adamant that despite the first-up win, the tour match at Worcester, where he played county cricket in 2018, was important to keep the momentum going.

“We have to make sure we are up and we continue to play well and get something out of the tour match,” he said.

“We want to keep the standard then we have four more days in to the next Test.”