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Top 3 best knocks of Travis Head at big stage that turned out to be nightmare for opponents in 2023
Travis Head had a sensational year as a batter at the highest level in 2023. The year did not start well for the Southpaw as he sustained an injury and was doubtful for the first Test against India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2023. But he eventually made it to the squad and played some good knocks in the series. It was not even the start of the sensation in the making.
In June 2023, Australia played India in the WTC final and played a terrific knock that helped Australia win their maiden WTC mace. During the Ashes 2023, he was exposed against short-ball bowling. Soon after the big series, Head played against South Africa in the bilateral and sustained an injury at a crucial time. One would have worried about his and Australia’s future at the time.
Head missed out of action for more than a month for Australia and missed half the tournament in the ODI WC 2023. He made a comeback in the game against New Zealand and registered a fabulous hundred on return. What followed towards the end of the tournament is now history as he has created a legacy for himself as one of the biggest match winners in cricket.
Here are the Top 3 best knocks of Travis Head, the birthday boy, on the big stage that turned out to be a nightmare for the opponents in 2023:
3. 62(48) and 2/21(5) against South Africa, ODI World Cup Semifinal 2023
Travis Head (Source: X)
It was the semifinal of the ODI World Cup 2023 between Australia and South Africa at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Bowling first, Australia restricted SA to a total of just 212 runs on a wicket that was very helpful for both types of bowlers. On such a wicket, a good start was essential for Australia in a low-scoring game.
Travis Head provided exactly that. The star batter raced away to 62 runs in 48 balls in no time and took the game away from SA in a matter of few overs. The knock of Head ensured that Australia could afford to chase the total with ease. Earlier with the ball, Head had claimed 2/21 in his spell of 5 overs. For his performance, Head got the POTM award.
2. 163(174) against India in the World Test Championship final 2023
Travis Head (Source: X)
It was the final of the WTC cycle 2 between India and Australia at the Oval in London. India was on fire after winning the toss. In conditions that were helpful for the pacers, India reduced Australia to 76/3 in quick time. That was when Head entered the middle. the rest, as they say, is history.
The Southpaw scored a lot of boundaries and played an aggressive brand of cricket on a wicket that did not do much. In his stay in the middle, Head scored 163 runs in 174 balls which included 25 fours and a six. Along with Steve Smith, the Australian number 5 framed a 285-run stand for the 4th wicket that sealed the game for his side.
1. 137(120) and a catch against India in the ODI World Cup final 2023
Travis Head (Source: X)
It was the biggest match of Travis Head’s career, and he brought his A-game when it mattered the most. All the odds were against Australia in the match and Head pulled off a screamer in the field to dismiss Rohit Sharma, the most dangerous batter of the opposition, which was a turning point of the match. The match changed right there.
India posted 240 runs in their 50 overs and had Australia at 47/3 in the run chase. Head played a terrific knock from there and took the game from the home side completely. In his stay in the middle, the Australian batter scored 137 runs in 120 balls that included 15 fours and 4 sixes. Head won the Player of the Match award for his exceptional performance.