• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Will Step Up Travis Head Braces For India Final After Dashing Sas World Cup 2023 Dream

‘Will Step Up’ - Travis Head Braces For India Final After Dashing SA’s World Cup 2023 Dream

image-lp1hb2t2Travis Head in action against SA at the 2023 World Cup semifinal (AP)

Travis Head underpinned Australia’s resounding victory over South Africa in the semifinal of the 2023 World Cup. The cricketer struck twice with the ball through his off-breaks before wiping 62 runs out of his side’s 213-run target at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens.

As Australian players brace themselves for their imminent title clash against hosts India, Head has directed a subtle warning at Rohit Sharma and co. during the post-match presentation.

Travis Head speaks about his duel with Klaasen

Travis Head was tasked to bowl by his captain Pat Cummins after Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller were threatening to take South Africa towards a competitive total. After conceding successive boundaries to Klaasen in the first two deliveries of his opening spell, the 30-year-old flattened his off stump, before trapping Marco Jansen for a first ball duck.

Head eventually finished with figures of 2-21 off his five overs, as South Africa folded up for 212 upfront. After claiming the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his all-round efforts, the Australian stalwart spoke about his duel with Klaasen, and revealed how he used his subcontinental knowledge for taking key wickets and scoring crucial runs for Australia. He said:

“Klaasen had smacked me a few times before. I know I had to hold my nerves because he had hit two boundaries. We know how the wicket behaves in subcontinent. I had to be prepared to bowl a couple of overs when needed. We always have had the positive approach. We just try to get ahead of the rate. I was disappointed to get out because it was the match-up against the left-arm spinner.”

Travis Head also expressed his delight in contributing for his team, despite making a late entry to the 2023 World Cup owing to an injury. Speaking on India’s all-firing bowling attack, the cricketer praised their forthcoming opponents by describing them as the best team of the competition.

“Nice to be here and contribute to the side and hopefully, we will step up in two days time again. It's an unbelievable attack (India's bowling attack). But that's why you are here and they have been playing outstanding cricket and have been the best team in the tournament. We have to be switched on.”

Travis Head will now turn up for his side in the much-awaited World Cup 2023 final on November 19. The match against tournament hosts India will be staged at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.