On the back of being one-half of the greatest ODI opening partnership that the MCG has ever played host to, Australian batter Travis Head isn't getting carried away about his chances of staying in the team for next year's ODI World Cup in India.
The South Australian looked near unstoppable with the bat last Tuesday afternoon as he pulled out a series of spectacular shots on his way to 152 off 130 before being bowled by England's Ollie Stone.
His superb form across the three-game series against England has many assuming he will stay on for the World Cup in India from October to November next year, but the 28-year-old knows better than to make assumptions.
After starting in great form atop Australia's ODI order in 2017, Head found himself in much the same place he does now, in great form around a year out from a World Cup, but a string of low scores later, and he found himself left out.
Speaking to cricket.com.au, the left-hander explained why missing out before keeps him focused solely on what's immediately next.
"It will be what it will be," Head said
"I have been in that position and watched from the 12 months leading into a World Cup, and missing that was tough because I felt like I was going well and things just didn't fall my way.
"I've (gone) away and played three good years of domestic cricket to get my chance again.
"It's started well but you can't hang your hat on it, (I've) got to stay relaxed and calm and back my ability.
"I've played enough cricket now to know what the expectations are for Australia; I still hold a lot of pride in what I'm doing but I'm a lot more relaxed about things."
Head has found himself back at his very best at the top of the order, and the role of his partner David Warner in this newfound form can't be underestimated. The pair averaged 113.57 in their seven innings together, and Head quickly recognised Warner's contribution.
"We (Warner and I) see the game in a similar way," said Head.
"I think we've seen that in the way that we've gone out and played in the past and in this series. It's been a nice partnership, I enjoy batting with him and vice versa, hopefully.
"He's obviously (an) unbelievable (player), which helps to have the confidence at the other end.
"I'll take any position that puts me in the Australian cricket team.
"In white-ball cricket I'd like to bat as high as I possibly can. I know the various opportunities I have got at the top I've had some success. I guess the challenge now โฆ is being able to do it consistently for a period of time."
And so long as Head stays fit, it seems the position appears his to lose because, in the wake of Aaron Finch's retirement, there is no obvious successor outside of him apart from Daniel Hughes, who has been setting domestic cricket alight.
Now though, Head's attention turns to test cricket, and one-day matches won't be on the cards for Australia until March next year at the earliest after Tests against the West Indies, South Africa and India.
