'I enjoy watching it' - Gilchrist feels sense of deja vu watching Head cause carnage

Adam Gilchrist sees some similarities to himself in Travis Head's aggressive style and thinks he is an important factor to Australia's title hopes

Tristan Lavalette

06-Nov-2023

Travis Head has been destructive at the top of the order  •  Getty Images

Adam Gilchrist paused and pondered. Did Travis Head's merciless and muscular batting stir emotions within the Australian cricket legend?

"In some ways. Obviously, he's playing very aggressively and that was my role," Gilchrist told ESPNcricinfo after a deliberation.

Comparisons to Gilchrist have generally been considered sacrilege, but Head's cavalier batting at No.5 in Test cricket and as an ODI opener has meant evocations can't be helped. Like Gilchrist, Head loves to hit the ball square and extremely hard.

With two counterattacking centuries in the 2021-22 Ashes series, Head was something of a precursor to 'Bazball' and he hasn't slowed down since. He is the only opener in the history of ODI cricket who has scored more than 1000 runs while averaging over 50 and striking at over 110.

"There are some shots he hits, where if I watch footage or myself, even when I was playing, it didn't look like how it felt," Gilchrist said. "When it was happening, it felt like a beautiful looking shot, but on replay it's actually just been bludgeoned and he's got that ability.

"He can lose what we term traditional shape of a shot, but because he's going so aggressively and he's got such power and great hand-eye coordination, he still gets the ball away.

"I really enjoy that part of his batting and watching it."

Head's importance to Australia's World Cup title hopes was showcased when he smashed a 59-ball century against New Zealand in his return from a broken hand. With Head matching David Warner blow for blow, the openers clubbed 118 of their 175-run partnership in the opening powerplay as Australia ultimately claimed a vital win.

Head's successful comeback vindicated the gamble from Australia's hierarchy to stick with him after he was unavailable for the early part of the tournament due to a broken hand.

"He clearly made an impact against New Zealand. He's one of a number of important factors for Australia's title hopes," Gilchrist said. "His style is something that if you're on board with it you have to ride the highs and the inevitable lows.

"He won't necessarily get the big score every time and have the consistency when you're that style of player. It's about making an impact and with that comes getting out early sometimes.

"But as long as everyone is riding that journey with him...they'll know that when he fires it's going to go a long way to helping Australia win."

Gilchrist and Test great Justin Langer were at Perth's Optus Stadium on Monday as part of the early build-up for next month's first Test between Australia and Pakistan.

After a modest crowd of 42,517 fans attended last summer's Australia and West Indies Test - the first Test in Perth since the Covid-19 pandemic - WA Cricket has sought an inventive approach to woo back spectators.

Rebranded the 'West Test', the match starting on December 14 will feature a new three-tiered hill that can hold up to 500 fans. A portion of seats at the 60,000-capacity Optus Stadium will be taken out in a bid to mimic the famous grass banks on either side of the WACA ground, which is under redevelopment.

"Bringing part of that history and heritage to this modern facility is really exciting," Gilchrist said. "These opportunities to bring some of that old heritage into the new [stadium] is a great starting point to build tradition and history."

Pakistan last played a Test match in Perth in December 2004 when Australia won by 491 runs at the WACA.

Adam Gilchrist Travis Head Australia ICC Cricket World Cup

Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth