Attacking Head makes most of Test chances

Oliver Caffrey | December 19, 2022

Nathan Lyon has always known Travis Head had the ability to be one of world cricket’s most damaging middle-order players.

Head fell just short of a century in consecutive years at the Gabba after making 92 from 96 balls during a counter-attacking knock, taking Australia past South Africa’s total of 152 in the first Test.

Just like he did in last year’s Ashes opener at the Brisbane venue, Head took the game on.

Australia were reeling at 3-27 on Saturday after the Proteas quicks ripped through the top-order, with superstar paceman Kagiso Rabaga dismissing David Warner for a golden duck.

But by the end of the final session of day one, Head had transformed the game to leave Australia only seven runs shy of South Africa’s first-innings total of 152 at stumps.

Lyon believed Head was benefiting from a strong family life after his wife Jess gave birth to their first child this year.

“There’s no secret to how much I love Trav and how much I love seeing Trav do extremely well,” Lyon said.

“I’ve always known that he’s been able to bat like this, I’ve seen it plenty of times in the nets before and even out in different games.

“I think Trav’s extremely happy off the field, I think that makes a big difference.”

Head fell eight runs shy of his sixth Test century after smashing a career-best 175 against West Indies in Adelaide last week.