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‘Nice To Be Back…,’ Travis Head After Blasting Record-Breaking Century vs NZ

image-lo9trdy7Travis Head celebrates his 50 with David Warner at the 2023 World Cup (AP)

After missing three weeks’ worth of World Cup 2023 action, Travis Head made his comeback to the Australian XI for their high-profile showdown against New Zealand. Playing his maiden World Cup game, the left-hander ended up making instant impression for his country by slapping a turbulent century and forging a 175-run opening stand with David Warner.

Head shattered numerous batting records through the course of his 109-run blitz. For starters, the 29-year-old became only the fifth Australian in history to craft a century on World Cup debut. Moreover, the brash opener registered the third fastest century ever recorded (59 balls) against New Zealand in ODIs, and the fastest among all batters in a World Cup game, also against the ‘Black Caps’.

During the mid-innings break, the South Australian star reflected the mindset he and Warner shared prior to their aggressive opening blitz, and expressed his excitement of returning to the group after recovering from his hand injury.

‘Hand felt good…’ Head after first post-recovery innings

Travis Head slumped to a hand injury in South Africa last month, which subsequently kept him out of action from Australia’s first five World Cup 2023 matches. Up and running with a stunning ton for his team in his first game of the tournament, the cricketer said:

“It's nice to be back with the boys. I was there for a couple of weeks, but coming back and playing in the middle was excellent. Nice to be in the fixture, nice to be playing, and it is nice to be back. Nice to contribute. It was a very good wicket. The hand felt good. It felt comfortable, and well, I felt back on track, which is nice.”

Travis Head charted up 109 runs from just 67 balls and raced to a 59-ball ton in just the 22nd over of the Australian innings in Dharamsala. He opened alongside regular first-wicket partner David Warner, who himself scorched the New Zealand attack with a 65-ball 81.

The two shared a 175-run opening stand from just 19 overs, which eventually set up a foundation for Australia’s colossal 388-run effort upfront. While speaking during the mid-innings break, he added:

“I think David Warner and I just looked to play aggressively and forged a partnership. Looked to go as hard as we could, and yeah, it was nice. 388 looks like a brilliant total. After my innings, the pitch started to get a bit more spin, and the slower bowlers got some purchase of it, and they did bowl well.”

The match against New Zealand marks a must-win one for the Australians, considering they had commenced their World Cup 2023 crusade with successive losses to India and South Africa.