Head recalled to Australia Test side in Delhi

Oliver Caffrey | February 17, 2023

A week after dropping Travis Head, Australia have backflipped on the bombshell call for their crucial second Test against India in Delhi.

Head, the world’s No.4 ranked Test player, was a surprise axing from Australia’s XI for the Border-Gavaskar series opener in Nagpur.

But with the series already on the line in the Indian capital, Australia have boldly brought back Head despite dropping him based on his poor batting record in Asia.

The South Australian captain replaced Matt Renshaw, who endured a horror outing in the innings and 132-run smashing at VCA Stadium as trophy holders India went 1-0 up in the four-Test series.

“The key point between Renners (Renshaw) and Head was really we thought we were short of fifth bowling support in Nagpur,” Australia selector Tony Dodemaide said.

“We feel Heady, even though he’s an off-spinner that goes the same way (as Lyon and Murphy), that he’s a more robust option for a fifth bowler.”

After breaking with tradition last week by playing two right-arm offspinners – Todd Murphy and Nathan Lyon – together for the first time in 35 years, Australia have again gone brave at selection.

Queensland spinner Matt Kuhnemann has been handed a Test debut, replacing Victorian quick Scott Boland, meaning captain Pat Cummins will be Australia’s only fast bowler.

“It’s a bit unusual going the three spinners and one quick,” Dodemaide said.

“We feel that spin will dominate the game once again and from what we understand this pitch has been used three times already this year and there’s already substantial cracking in the areas where most of the game is going to be played.

“That’s the reason for going for the three spin; the fifth bowler is important too.”

Allrounder Cameron Green and star quick Mitchell Starc failed to prove their fitness after recovering from broken fingers suffered in the Boxing Day Test.

The pair trained this week but were unsighted on Thursday at Australia’s optional session.

“We don’t have the seam bowling option of Cam on the table quite yet,” Dodemaide said.

“We’re very confident and hope he’s continuing to progress and we expect him to be available for the third Test in Indore.

“We brought them (Green and Starc) over to India in the expectation they’d be available.

“Starc and Greeny didn’t quite come up for this one, but we fully expect them to be online for the third one.”