WTC Final 2023: Travis Head is similar to Adam Gilchirst, says Ricky Ponting

Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting compared Travis Head with legendary wicket-keeper bat Adam Gilchrist. The former Australian left-hander was known for his aggressive batting while playing down the order in Test cricket.

Head has been playing with a lot of confidence and the same was palpable on Wednesday when he smashed an unbeaten knock of 146 runs off just 156 balls against India in the World Test Championship final.

Head batted in his naturally aggressive style and took the attack against the Indian bowlers from the word go. The southpaw smashed 22 fours and one six in his blistering knock as he helped Australia finish strongly at 327-3 at the end of the day’s play.

In fact, the South Australian has a strike rate of 61.82 in Test cricket but he has been striking at more than 80 in the ongoing WTC cycle 2021-23.

Head added a fine alliance of 251 runs with Steve Smith, who scored an unbeaten knock of 95 runs on the opening day. The 29-year-old from Adelaide has played a key role in Australia’s success and he batted at his absolute best against India on the opening day.

“He probably is (similar to Gilchrist). In fact, he is probably scoring quicker now than Gilly probably ever did. His strike-rate through this WTC qualification period is 81, which is higher than anyone else in the world to have scored more than 500 runs,” said Ponting while speaking to ICC.

Ponting, who led Australia to two World Cup titles during his reign, added Head’s confidence is always rising as he has been consistently delivering for the team.

“His confidence is growing by the game, his strike-rate keeps going up, he hits boundaries early on in his innings which puts pressure back on the bowlers which is what you want from your middle order players, and his last two years have been quite remarkable,” Ponting added.

Australia’s former number three added it is important for the bowlers to hit the right areas against Head in the initial stage of his innings before he gets settled at the crease.

“I think when he first comes in you need to execute perfectly to him. It is no good trying to over-attack him because if you bowl any bad ball, he is going to put it away. They will learn by the way they bowled to him in this first innings, and they will definitely adjust in this second innings, but sometimes it is too late,” said Ponting.

Head has given a head start to Australia with his splendid century.