Travis Head on Bangladesh Tests: A Different Challenge

Travis Head has considered the different mindset required when Australia competes in the World Test Championship against lower-ranked teams. Travis Head, who recently won the Allan Border Medal for the second time in a row, discussed the psychological shift that occurs when competing against teams from non-traditional powerhouse nations.

Australia tops the World Test Championship rankings heading into their Test series against Bangladesh, having won seven of eight games. The first match will take place in Darwin on August 13.

The visitors have won five of the last six Tests against Bangladesh. Bangladesh was bowled out for 54 in their warm-up match against the Cricket Australia XI, suggesting the home team will have an easy task. When playing the better countries, you sit there with anticipation.

You enter a test thinking, ‘I just hope I get thru it’. Then you may come up against a side like Bangladesh, with the week they’ve had and the expectation of, ‘I really expect myself to get runs’, and that’s sometimes the hardest position to be, when you go out there expecting to (score runs),” Head told Cricket Australia.

The mental adjustment against opponents of lower ranks

Managing expectations against lesser opponents is a totally different psychological task than dealing with established Test nations. Head remarked that, especially when facing Australia in front of home fans, the severity of Test cricket needs a delicate combination of confidence and poise.

Controlling expectations in cricket for the World Test Championship: “Because the game is cruel. So I believe it is simply a matter of moderating expectations over the next few days (and) thru these two tests.

Coming up to represent your country is undoubtedly a proud moment. To be in front of Territorians and know what I’ve gone thru to be here is very awesome. I’ll probably get more grief if I don’t do well up here,” Travis Head added.

There is support for Travis Head and Jake Weatherald to form the series’ opening pairing. After Usman Khawaja retires, Weatherald is anticipated to continue at the top. The second Test is scheduled on August 22 in Mackay. Both games will award World Test Championship points.