NEW DELHI: Australia’s in-form Travis Head has downplayed concerns over his fitness after appearing to struggle with a potential groin issue during the rain-affected third Test against India at the Gabba in Brisbane, which ended in a draw on Wednesday.
Head, who was named Player of the Match, reassured fans and teammates that he expects to be fully fit for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, with the five-match series currently tied at 1-1.
"Very pleased with the way I am batting at the moment. Just a little sore, but I should be fine (before the next game)," Head said.
The 30-year-old, who has been in scintillating form with 409 runs at an average of 81.80 this series, raised concerns when he appeared to struggle running between the wickets during his brief knock of 17 on day five.
At times, he was seen clutching his groin, prompting commentary team to speculate about the extent of his discomfort.
Former Australian pacer Brett Lee called the footage 'worrying signs', pointing to Head’s restricted movement, while former India head coach Ravi Shastri described a potential injury as a 'body blow' for Australia.
Australian skipper Pat Cummins also dismissed any major concerns, stating, "Travis, he'll be fine. It's a bit of a tight quad. He'll be fine for Melbourne."
Reflecting on his performance this series, Head attributed his success to adapting well to challenging conditions and maintaining composure at the crease.
"Challenging wicket. I had to work through the gears. I had different plans, pleased I could get through those. Good partnership with (Steve) Smith," he said on their centuries, contributing to their 241-run massive stand.
"I just try to sum up the conditions well. What I've done well this series is assess the conditions. Pleased with the tempo I've batted with. Pretty relaxed communication.
"Felt like he was back in his rhythm, and he gives me full freedom and confidence knowing he's going to be there for a long while. I feel like I am playing the situation in front of me," he added.
The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the ...
Read MoreThe TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide.
From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more.
The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics.
We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects.
We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.
Read Less
Start a Conversation
Post comment