Aussie Head axes Sussex deal – but other stars will replace him
He was going to captain Sussex in their bid for county championship promotion this year. But now Travis Head has axed his move to Hove.
Head will be replaced by Cheteshwar Pujara as overseas batsman for the four-day and the Royal London One-Day Cup competition.
The Aussie batter, who was with Sussex for part of 2021, asked to be released from his contract because of increased international commitments and the fact he and his partner are expecting their first child.
Sussex have agreed and replaced him with Indian star Pujara for the majority of the 2022 season.
He will arrive in time for the first Championship match of the season and remain until at least the end of the RL50 competition.
Cheteshwar said: “I am excited and honoured to be a part of the historic Sussex County Cricket Club for the upcoming season.
“I look forward to joining up with the Sussex family soon and be a part of its rich cricketing history.
“I have always enjoyed my time in the UK playing county cricket, so eagerly looking forward to the new stint and hope to contribute to the club’s success.”
Sussex said they were delighted to lure an experienced international top-order batter to the squad and look forward to his contribution, both with the bat and in helping our younger top order batters continue their development.
Sussex added: “We are sorry Travis will not be joining us and wish him all the best with his international commitments and congratulate him and his partner Jessica on their news.”
Head said: “I’d like to stress that it’s important for me to support Jessica over the Australian winter while balancing a busy international schedule.
“It comes with disappointment during a very exciting period for me personally that I won’t be returning this season, I’ve built some great relationships and was very excited for it.
“I’m hopeful I can still have an impact at the club in the future and I will be watching the season very closely.
“I wish everyone all the best and thank you for the support.”
A new championship captain will be announced soon.
Following the re-arrangement of the Pakistan v West Indies one-day series for early June Sussex expect to have Mohammad Rizwan available for the early part of the Championship season and at least eight of the Blast group games.
He will arrive from the current Pakistan v Australia Test series in time for the second round of the championship starting on April 14.
Sussex added: “To ensure we have the strongest squad available for the remaining Blast matches and Championship matches during this period we have signed Australian batter/ keeper Josh Philippe.”
The Sydney Sixers star said on signing for Sussex: “I am delighted to be joining Sussex for the T20 Blast and the County Championship.
“The opportunity to play in England with a young and talented Sussex squad is something I am really looking forward to.”
Sussex, of course, also have the world’s number one T20 bowler Rashid Khan returning for another T20 Blast season at Hove.
Subject to how far his IPL franchise team go in this year’s tournament they expect to have Khan available for much of the Blast, including the knockout out stages at the end of the competition, should they progress from the group stages.
Keith Greenfield, Performance Director said, “Considering the constantly changing schedules of overseas players and tours, the quality of international players we have secured to represent the club across all formats is very exciting for all involved.”
Former four-day and OD Cup skipper Ben Brown has moved to Hampshire.