Sharp decline in numbers: Analysing why Travis Head should take a break from T20Is

Why Travis Head should be dropped [Source: AFP Photo]

Another T20I match and another failure for Australia’s Travis Head against the New Zealand side. The maverick batter who was once the undisputed best across formats has dipped in the T20Is and has looked a pale shadow of his former self in the last few T20I series. He failed to deliver against the South Africans and has not done much against the Kiwis.

While his batting partner, Mitchell Marsh, has gone from strength to strength and even notched up a century in the second T20I, Head has become a headache for the Aussies, and perhaps the time has come to give him a rest. Here are 3 reasons why Australia should drop him from the T20Is, at least for time being.

1) Form not on his side

In the last few series, Travis Head’s output as a T20I opening batter has gone down, and he has struggled to win matches for the Australian side. Bowlers have found ways to dismiss him, and that has caused worry in the Australian dressing room. Moreover, the numbers don’t lie, and they tell the entire story.

(Head T20I stats in 2025)

• This year has been horrendous for Head in T20Is. As the numbers tell, in five matches, the Aussie has amassed only 62 runs, with an average of 12, and a strike rate of just 114.81. The strike rate is well below his career T20I strike rate of 157.14.
• A dry run has come, and Head looks exhausted as the batter has found different ways of getting dismissed in the game’s shortest format.

2) Get him rest before Ashes

The Ashes will start in November end, and Head is a vital player for the Aussies in the Test squad. The Kangaroos prioritize Test cricket over other formats, and to beat the English side, they need Head to be at his imperial best. Hence, they need to rest him for the remainder of the Kiwi series and the one against India, so that Head is fresh for the Ashes.

With Pat Cummins taking a rest before the Ashes, and also Mitch Starc taking some time off, it is important that the management gives a break to Head for the all-important England series.

3) No need to panic as Head is guaranteed T2O starter

Even if Head doesn’t play a couple of T20I series, he shouldn’t panic as the maverick batter is an automatic starter in the opening slot, and Cricket Australia has already confirmed that Head and Mitch Marsh will open together in the T20 World Cup next year.

Hence, the batter should just relax, rejuvenate a bit, and come back hard in the T20Is, but for now, he needs a bit of rest from the T20Is.

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