Ahead of the third Test of the continuing Border-Gavaskar Trophy towards Australia on the Gabba, ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting lavished reward on left-handed batter Travis Head, evaluating him to former cricketer Adam Gilchrist. Ponting recommended Head’s daring batting method and match-winning consistency throughout his dialog with host Sanjana Ganesan on the newest episode of The ICC Review. Head delivered a outstanding efficiency within the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy sequence towards India, incomes the Player of the Match award for his gorgeous 140, which helped stage the sequence at 1-1.
“He’s on the way to being one of those [greats]. I don’t think you can call him a great just yet. That’s no knock on what he’s doing, because what he’s doing has been spectacular. And a lot of the time, it’s been when his team has needed him the most,” Ponting remarked, as quoted by the ICC.
Over the previous 18 months, Head has been a formidable opponent for India, together with his magnificent 163 within the ICC World Test Championship Final in 2023 and his match-winning 137 within the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup decider later that yr.
Ponting highlighted Head’s knack for performing in high-pressure conditions, referencing his essential knocks towards India, in addition to his centuries in Brisbane and Hobart throughout the latest Ashes sequence in Australia.
“Think about the World Cup semi-final, the World Cup final, World Test Championship, Ashes in Australia a couple of years ago. Big moments are when Travis has found a way to stand up,” Ponting mentioned.
Ponting in contrast Head to his former teammate Gilchrist, famend for his aggressive strokeplay and skill to rise to the event when his staff wanted him most.
Gilchrist revolutionised cricket along with his swashbuckling batting and fearless method on the crease after his debut in 1996. He impressed a era of wicket-keeper-batters and was a key participant within the dominant Australian facet that gained three Cricket World Cups and quite a few different trophies throughout their golden period.
“The obvious one is Gilly. The way that Head plays is very similar to the way Gilchrist played, albeit a couple of positions higher in the batting order. Gilly batted at six or seven, and Travis is doing his damage at No.5. I love sitting back and watching him play. It’s quite refreshing to see someone play that way. It doesn’t matter what the situation is; Travis is going to come out and play the same way, and I love that,” Ponting mentioned.
Ponting additionally mirrored on Head’s 141-ball 140-run innings in Adelaide, which showcased his potential to thrive below stress. With India clawing their method again into the match by taking two fast wickets, Head’s fearless batting shifted the momentum, steering Australia from 101/3 to a commanding whole.
“It’s Travis’s attitude that allows him to play the way he does,” Ponting mentioned. “He’s not scared of getting out. He doesn’t worry about a negative result. He only sees the positive outcome in everything he does.”
Head’s heroics in Adelaide have propelled him to No.5 within the newest ICC Men’s Test batting rankings.
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