Australian batsman Travis Head has revealed he had "robust" conversations with the Australian selectors after his axing for the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar trophy in Nagpur.
Head, who was ranked as the number four Test batsman in the world ahead of the first Test of the series, found himself on the outside of the Australian XI for the series-opener, with Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb instead batting at five and six.
That ultimately was a trainwreck. Handscomb has justified his selection throughout the series, but Head found himself back in the side for the second Test in Delhi.
It was another horrid loss for the Aussies, but Head was utilised at the top of the order in the second innings following injury to David Warner, and it's now a position he is expected to keep for the third Test in Indore.
Head said that he is happy to bat anywhere in the order if it suits the team though, with no preference to play in the middle order.
โHonestly, after missing out in the first Test, I'd bat anywhere that the team needed me to get a game, so I've always said that,โ he said.
โI didn't come here expecting to be opening the batting last inning, but, whether it's opening the batting, coming in at five, I've got to find a way at both of them if needed for the team. So I'll put my head down, stick me butt out and try and do the best I can for the team.โ
The aggressive batsman is no stranger to opening, carrying out the role in limited overs cricket for both South Australia and Australia - he made an excellent century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during Australia's last ODI series against England.
That particular occasion saw he and David Warner break all sorts of records.
Despite his form at home, concerns over his play against spin saw him dropped for the first Test, with the general consensus being that Handscomb had to play as a right-hander and the Sheffield Shield's leading run-scorer for two seasons running, while Renshaw was the better player of spin.
That backfired on the selectors, with Head revealing his conversations after the controversial axing.
โIt was something that I didn't expect coming here, sometimes that happens,โ he said. โI thought the way I was able to go through that week and prepare myself to be ready for another chance, it was nice to get the next opportunity. Now it's about making the most of that.
โThe conversations were robust. Everyone has different opinions. I respect the coaching staff and selectors and I have a really strong relationship with them. I think that's what made the conversations the way they went, because there's respect that goes both ways and we were able to voice our opinions.
โI woke up the next morning and im still on tour playing for Australia, I still get to do what I love to do. I'd love to be competing and playing but there's another way I can support the guys the best I could and prepare the best way I could for another opportunity. I still feel like im in a great space. It's just one week that didn't go my way. โ
The third Test starts on Wednesday in Indore.
