Nagpur: Australia’s selectors have been attacked by a host of former stars, including Steve Waugh after axing the in-form Travis Head in an apparent horses for courses policy, amid another collapse against spin on the subcontinent.
Selectors dropped a bombshell before the game by dumping the world’s No.4 Test batter in favour of Peter Handscomb and Matthew Renshaw, a move which has been criticised by Waugh, Matthew Hayden, Mark Waugh and Tim Paine.
Though Handscomb made 31 in an encouraging return to the baggy green after more than four years in the Test wilderness, Renshaw, who claimed Head’s No.5 slot, was dismissed for a golden duck.
It is too early to determine if selectors have made the right call, but the decision is being keenly discussed after a poor start with the bat by the visitors in India.
The South Australians was dropped despite being in career-best form, having averaged 87.5 during the home Test summer against the West Indies and South Africa.
In seven Tests in Asia, Head has made just 213 runs at 21.3 and passed 50 only once – on debut against Pakistan in Dubai 2018.Credit:AP
Though selectors are yet to explain the rationale behind their decision, Head’s poor record on the subcontinent and perceived weaknesses against spin bowling in this part of the world would undoubtedly have been major factors behind his shock omission.
In seven Tests in Asia, Head has made just 213 runs at 21.3 and passed 50 only once – on debut against Pakistan in Dubai 2018.
Head also failed in Pakistan and Sri Lanka last year after a hot summer at home. He made just six, 12 and five in the latter tour, and could not convince on-tour selectors Andrew McDonald and Tony Dodemaide in the pre-series training camp that he had sufficiently improved to warrant selection.
With Australia dismissed for a below-par 177, the left-hander could yet return to the XI in the coming weeks unless the top six can find a way to prosper.
India cruised to 1/77 at stumps on the first day with skipper Rohit Sharma in ominous touch.
Waugh, who led Australia on the epic series in 2001, was stunned Head had lost his place.
“Hard to believe we can drop the number 4 ranked Test batsman in the world and probably our best batsman in the last 12 months plus he bowls better than average off-spin – let’s wait and see – maybe the Aussie selectors are geniuses #gamble #overanalysing? #waitandsee,” Waugh wrote on his Instagram account.
Hayden was another who could not believe Head was shelved.
“I can’t believe it. For me, he was the player of the [Australian] summer. I’m just speechless,” Hayden said.
“Totally different conditions to Brisbane, I know, but his 90 there was so good. He made it look flat even though it wasn’t. It was a raging green-top.”
Paine also expressed his surprise on Twitter, saying he would not have dropped Head.
Former wicketkeeper Brad Haddin backed selectors for picking a team he believed was most appropriate for the local conditions.
“I like the team, it is spin-friendly,” Haddin said. “Handscomb is known for being a really good player of spin bowling and has played well in India in the post.
“Travis Head’s record on the subcontinent is poor. It won’t be the last time we see him play on the subcontinent but he will need some time to get used to his game style in these conditions.”
The morale remains high in the dressing room, Handscomb said, despite Australia’s poor start in their bid to regain the cherished Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
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