HEAD IS CAPTAIN MATERIAL
ALLAN Border has declared that Travis Head’s courage under fire in Dubai can be his making as a Test batsman and potentially, as Australia’s next leader.
Head’s match-saving contribution against Pakistan on Test debut has become somewhat lost amid the heroics performed by Usman Khawaja and captain Tim Paine.
But without Head’s brilliant 72 off 172 balls which held up a 137-run stand with Khawaja, Australia never would have been in a position to hold on for their Great Escape.
Head was facing the ignominy of a pair on debut when he came to the crease in the last session on day four when Australia had just lost 3-0 in three overs.
The South Australian has already been shortlisted in Justin Langer’s captaincy plans for the future and legendary skipper and matchsaver Border says Head has only risen in those estimations now after his first Test in baggy green.
Border says the importance of Head’s performance cannot be underestimated for how it could shape a next generation star.
“Definitely. The confidence you get from doing something like that is enormous,” said Border.
“Even though you’re not setting the game up, saving a game early on in your career like he has in his first match, that’s enormous.
“He’s another kid with huge potential as far as leadership and what he can do.
“He’s got a good cricket intelligence and that was shown with that innings. And he’s played one game.
“It’s looking good as far as those individuals are concerned and it might springboard guys to bigger and better things.”
Head was under all sorts of pressure when he first came to the crease on day four with Australia looking so wobbly the match could have been as good as over by stumps.
He scratched around desperately to get off the mark, surviving DRS referrals and some panicked moments.
But Border says Head’s ability to emerge from the fire and let his natural stroke play flourish in the context of so much personal and team pres- sure was the mark of a Test match batsman.
“He’s on debut, there’s high pressure, nerves and he got a duck in the first innings and everyone is talking about debutants and ducks,” he said.
“To come out and play that innings, he looked very assured.
“He played his shots very well and he kept that momentum going all through that innings. It was very impressive stuff, as good as it gets.
“History says that’s the best ever (save) by an Australian team. It was a phenomenal performance.”