WTC Final 2023: Travis Head’s last 2 years has been outstanding – Ricky Ponting lauds Head for match-winning knock

Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has stated that Travis Head’s last two years have been outstanding. Head has been batting aggressively in the last couple of years and he has delivered the goods for Australia. The left-hander scored a total of 1389 runs in 18 Test matches of the WTC 21-23 cycle at an average of 55.56 and more importantly at a blistering strike rate of 81.80.

Head scored a magnificent knock of 163 runs in the World Test Championship final against India to help his team post a gargantuan total of 469 runs on the board after they were put into bat by Rohit Sharma. In fact, Head joined forces with Steve Smith when Australia was under the pump at 73-3 however he turned the tables with his attacking knock.

Head scored 25 fours and one six in his blistering knock and added 285 runs with Steve Smith, who scored 121 runs. Thus, the duo played an instrumental role in helping Australia post a massive total of 469 runs on the board.

Speaking to ICC, Travis Head said, “Travis Head’s last 2 years has been outstanding. He’s found a new level of confidence and he’s been given that confidence by the coaching staff and the captain. They’ve shown really good faith in him and have told him to play a certain way, which is to play his natural way and be really aggressive. That innings you wind the clock back and you take 163 out of Australia’s first innings and it could be a completely different game. He played beautifully, Steven Smith was outstanding again.”

On the other hand, Ponting showered praise on Scott Boland and Alex Carey. Boland was brilliant with his line and length and took a total of five wickets in the match whereas Carey scored 48 and 66 in the first and second innings respectively. Furthermore, the Australian wicketkeeper took a total of six catches.

“If Josh Hazlewood was fit, Boland might not have played but everytime Scott Boland has been presented an opportunity, he has taken it with both hands. Even after this performance here, I think he’ll have the Australian selectors scratching their head about what is the right make up for the Ashes coming up in just over a week’s time.”

“He was outstanding and Alex Carey was brilliant as well with his runs in the second innings, he’s ended up with four catches in the second innings as well so six catches for the game.”

Australia dominated the whole contest as they came up with a collective effort. The Aussies will now take on England in the Ashes.