Ricky Ponting, the renowned Australia cricket legend, has hailed Travis Head as a burgeoning talent across all formats of men's international cricket, expressing his anticipation for Head's trajectory in the upcoming year.
Head's standout performances in various formats have caught Ponting's eye, notably his remarkable innings during this year's World Test Championship final against India at The Oval, where he scored a stellar 163 in the first innings. In the ODI World Cup, Head's exceptional contributions earned him the Player of The Match accolade in both the semi-final and final, pivotal in Australia's victorious campaign, highlighted by his sensational 137 in the title clash against India.
"Presently, he stands out as one of the emerging talents across all three formats globally. That's how I characterized him after the World Cup, and I stand by that assessment. Now, he'll have opportunities in the T20 format," Ponting shared on SEN Radio.
Ponting emphasized Head's role as the designated One Day opener for the foreseeable future, praising his impressive performances both in the middle order in Test cricket and as an opener in ODIs, expressing keen interest in Head's continued development over the next year.
At 29, Head's aggressive batting style has drawn attention, often putting pressure on opposition bowlers swiftly. Ponting attributed Head's success in international cricket to his approach of playing with absolute freedom.
"What I see is someone playing with complete freedom. That's his style, and that's when he excels. In the initial phase of his international career, he grappled with finding his rhythm, similar to Cameron Green, trying to ascertain the ideal approach for success at the highest level."
"Travis has now adopted a 'go out and attack from the start' mentality, aiming to apply pressure on bowlers right from the onset of his innings. His innings in the World Cup were breathtaking. However, it's his Test performances over the past couple of years that have truly impressed me," Ponting remarked.
Ponting highlighted Head's exceptional strike rate in Test cricket, nearing 100 over the last two years, coupled with his ability to produce substantial scores swiftly, significantly impacting and setting up games in both white-ball and Test cricket.
"When you score big and do so at a rapid pace, you not only win games but also establish them, whether it's in white-ball cricket or Test matches. Travis has excelled in this aspect," Ponting concluded, commending Head's exceptional contributions to the sport.
(With Agency Inputs)
