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Travis Head wants greener wickets in Ashes; Says flatter pitches don’t suit his style

Jatin

Travis Head [Source: @ICC/x.com]Travis Head [Source: @ICC/x.com]

Australian batter Travis Head isn’t one to back away from a challenge and ahead of the Ashes, he has made it clear that he would rather face pitches with a bit of bite than flat ones where the bat dominates the ball. While most batters dread green tops, Head believes that lively conditions bring out the best in him.

Head’s love for seam movement

“I probably enjoy batting on those sort of wickets,” Head told ESPNcricinfo. “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. But fast-paced pitches that nip, you can maybe get away with a few things.”

Travis Head’s record proves his point. On challenging pitches during the 2021-22 Ashes, he smashed centuries in Brisbane and Hobart, earning the Player of the Series award. Since then, he has averaged 54.64 in home Tests with six tons at a strike rate of 88.9, numbers that scream dominance in difficult conditions.

Why green pitches suit his style

For Head, tougher wickets mean more scoring chances.

“The way I want to play is if they present opportunities to score, you score,” he said. “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.”

He added that even though seam-friendly pitches can make batting a risky business, they also reward intent and positive play, qualities that define his game.

Stats tell the story

Australia’s recent home pitches have been anything but easy. Since the start of the 2021-22 Ashes, top-seven batters have averaged just 30.22 in Australia, down from 38.14 across the four summers before that. But while others have struggled, Head has thrived.

Meanwhile, Steven Smith, once unstoppable at home, has seen his average drop from 63.20 to 45.26 in the same period. It is clear that Head has adapted to Australia’s new testing tracks better than anyone else.

England beware of spicy wickets

If the trend continues, England’s “Bazball” brigade might have their hands full. Even Smith warned about it:

“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.”

With The Ashes 2025 around the corner, Travis Head isn’t hoping for a fight. And knowing his record, when the ball seams, Head usually steals the show.