Relaxed Head pledges to make most of Test recall

IT’S the one question mark remaining over Australia’s Test XI for today’s Gabba opening clash with Pakistan but just where Travis Head bats doesn’t concern him.

The South Australian is just happy to be in the fray after missing a chance to consolidate a middle-order spot on the tour of England.

Head, who will also reclaim the vice-captaincy, doesn’t know whether he or Matthew Wade will bat five or six respectively after being recalled alongside Joe Burns and Mitchell Starc for the Australian summer.

Asked for his preference, Head wasn’t being fussy. “Play,” he said.

“I feel I can do a role for the team and, if I get the chance, I’ll make the most of it.” Making the most of it is something he admits he hadn’t done in England. Bright starts weren’t converted and he was left out of the final Test to accommodate allrounder Mitchell Marsh.

Australia’s highest runscorer since the sandpaper scandal in South Africa, Head averaged 42.7 across his first 12 Tests.

But just one hundred to go with six fifties contributed to the tap on the shoulder from selectors before the final Ashes Test.

A 25-ball Sheffield Shield duck against Queensland at the Gabba dinted his chances of a recall, but Head responded with a century against a quality NSW attack to keep himself afloat.

Will Pucovski’s withdrawal from Test consideration further had opened the door and, now back, Head says he’s learnt plenty from his England setback. “I had opportunities, (batting) with Steve (Smith) in England and probably didn’t make the most of those,” he said.

“He’s a fantastic player to bat with. Hopefully, we do it again early in the series.

“It’s nice to be back in Australia; I’m hoping to do the same again and being ruthless around that and, when I get the start, get a big score.”