Travis Head Backs Bowler-Friendly Conditions in the Ashes

The Ashes is approaching fast and Australia is banking on preparing bowler-friendly pitches. The star batter of Australia, Travis Head, has backed this idea, saying that these pitches help his batting style. It should be noted that green surfaces in Australia always bring tough challenges for the batters. However, Travis Head likes to bat on these pitches, as it gives him more opportunities to score quickly.

During the 2021-22 Ashes, Travis Head was named player of the series. He scored stunning centuries in Brisbane and Hobart while playing on bowler-friendly surfaces. Drawing inspiration from that series, he hopes that the home team will once again go into the Ashes with similar tactics.  

"I probably enjoy batting on those sort of wickets. The flatter wickets, with the grind, that more so challenge technique, I think, over longer periods of time [trying] to eke out runs has never probably come as natural to me with being a stroke player and wanting to get on with it. And the slower, flat wickets probably don't tend to that. But fast-paced pitches that nip, you can maybe get away with a few things.” said Travis Head.

He further said that bowlers try to bowl full on green pitches. It gives them more purchase from the pitch, allowing the ball to come in with the seam position. This sort of tactic helps Head play his shots freely. He likes the ball to come onto the bat, and green surfaces certainly give him that opportunity.

"And then obviously the way I want to play is if they present opportunities to score, you score. So when they're greener, they pitch up a little bit more and a bit fuller, and the style that I play, if they miss a little bit, I'm able to hopefully score and get busy.” said Travis Head.

He then described the examples of Steve Smith and Joe Root, who are considered greats of their respective teams. Travis Head explained that these batters score runs quickly, and he appreciates the way they plan their game on different types of pitches.

"It's a run based game. You see some of the great players, like Steve Smith, Joe Root, you blink and they're on 30 or 40. And that's something that I've always appreciated, and definitely [on] these wickets, you know that you potentially have got one with your name on it. You can still play well. You can still get runs. Sometimes you've got that go about it in different ways. But ultimately, it's a game where you go try and score as many as you can." said Travis Head.

As compared to Australia, the test pitches in England are quite flat. These surfaces have allowed ‘Bazball batters’ to score runs quickly. Australia is therefore thinking otherwise, as they want to neutralize the batting threat of England in the upcoming Ashes. With green bouncy surfaces, Steve Smith believes that England’s batters could get into trouble, as most of them like to play on flatter wickets.

"England play pretty well on the flatter wickets, the way they play. So, if there's a bit in it like there has been the last three or four years, with our bowling attack, it certainly makes things a lot more difficult for their batters." said Steve Smith.

Analyzing the preparation of both teams, it could be safely said that the matches in the upcoming Ashes series would be a treat to watch. Both teams are gearing up for the challenge in different styles, with England keen to use its aggressive approach against a more organized and disciplined Australian team.