‘Why did I just do that?’ Head’s revelation behind Archer Ashes blast

3 months ago 20

Travis Head admits he has worried that his batting fireworks to seal the first Ashes Test in Perth may put an even bigger target on his back for England’s fast bowlers for the remainder of the series.

He also got a text message from Adam Gilchrist, telling Head that this century was better than the former wicketkeeper’s celebrated 57-ball hundred against England at the WACA Ground in 2006.

Travis Head raises his bat after his stunning knock in Perth.

Having got the benefit of a few extras days at home this week after first Test’s the day-two finish, Head did the radio rounds on Thursday and revealed a few more details of his innings of 123 from just 83 balls at Optus Stadium.

Chief among these was how his extraordinary straight pull shot for six off the speedy Jofra Archer actually led to fear that he was making the England pace bowlers angry with him – not something he wanted to do in the first Test of five.

“I’m also very realistic as well that they had two blokes bowling 150 clicks,” Head told Triple M in Adelaide. “I accidentally hit Jofra back over his head for six at one point and calmly walked back and marked centre and was like, ‘Oh my god, why did I just do that?’

“And Marnus came down and was like, ‘I know you’re trying to act cool, but that’s unbelievable’ and he’s yelling and screaming, and he’s hoo hah-ing, and I’m like, ‘Mate, get back to the other end, at any moment they can put a hole through me, they bowl 150 clicks’.

“I don’t want to get on the bad side of them, especially [in] the first Test. I don’t want to get on the wrong side of these blokes, I just want to go about my business.”

One player who has Head’s respect is England captain Ben Stokes, although the Australian said he got very little from Stokes out in the middle.

Head acknowledges the applause from the Perth crowd after his swashbuckling second-innings ton.

“He is one of the most clutch players I’ve played against,” Head said. “If you talk about big moments, Ben Stokes is up there, and he’s the captain and setting the tone. He’s the one bloke I can’t get anything out of, other than sometimes a sledge here and there towards me. But he’s a competitive beast.”

Gilchrist’s message, which Head was truly chuffed about, came just after the first Test’s conclusion.

“He messaged me and said, ‘Well done.’ He was very proud. I messaged him back and said, ‘How the hell did you do it quicker? In 50-odd balls?’. He said he got a very tight attack on a very hot day in Perth,” Head told Triple M in Melbourne.

A few legends have already sprung up about Head’s innings, one of them from his father, Simon, who was about to leave the house for dinner when he noticed his son walking out to bat. A couple of hours later he was still there, sipping champagne to celebrate.

“Dad was rolling past the TV, going out for dinner, apparently. He saw me walking out to bat, and so he sat there,” Head said. “I think my manager rang him and said, ‘Are you watching this?’ and Dad just bought a house, and he says he’s there drinking a bottle of Veuve...”

Asked about England’s decision not to send any of their Test XI from Perth to Canberra for the Prime Minister’s XI pink-ball game at Manuka Oval, Head said that he had been in Australian sides that changed plans in response to a heavy defeat, but others that had not.

“I can see why they haven’t gone, but I can see why the average punter or the ex-player can see it differently,” Head said.

The last thing Head wanted to do was fire up England’s firebrand quick, Jofra Archer (pictured).

“You can either get in those moments and change the script and say, ‘We’re going to train’, or you can double down and go, ‘Nup, we’ve had this planned out, we know exactly how we want to go for five Tests, this team’s been together for four years, and we’re committed to the cause, and we know what we need to do’.

“You’ve got to respect the fact they’ve been a bloody good team, and I reckon they’ve got their plans, they’ve had their plans set, and they’re doubling down. Credit to them, they’re going to live by the sword or die by the sword, and we’ll see where we’re at in Brisbane.”

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