Travis Head accuses former Australia greats of 'putting the bullet through' current players

Travis Head accused former Australia greats of unfairly criticising the current Test team, saying they have been “putting the bullet through a lot of players,” as he spoke in Durban ahead of Friday’s first Test against South Africa. The Australia vice-captain said the game has changed significantly since those past players were active and rejected targeting individual commentators while defending his side.

Head’s remarks followed a day after Matthew Hayden criticised selectors and described the selection of Nic Maddinson as promoting “the greatest pile of mediocrity.” Head, who said he is keen to continue opening in South Africa, complained about commentary aimed at the team’s batting at a time when Test averages have fallen globally and Sheffield Shield numbers have also declined.

“I think it’s unfairly judged a fair bit from a group of past players, pretty much, that put the bullet through a lot of players,” Head said. “But that’s what they’re paid to do. Some of them need a job, so they go after us and that’s totally fine. This group is strong enough to deal with those sort of things. That’s how it is. “It’s unfortunate sometimes to have some of that feedback from a generation of players that we have huge respect for, but that’s the caper.”

Head acknowledged a perceived generational split between Australia’s recent sides and earlier eras and referenced Justin Langer’s exit as coach in 2022 after Langer rejected a contract offer of only six months following the 2021-22 Ashes win. Australia, Head noted, have stayed No 1 in the world for the vast majority of that period, winning a World Test Championship and retaining the Ashes.

“They’re a very proud bunch of guys,” Head said. “We went through a bit of a sticky situation a few years ago where they stood up and were pretty proud about one of their own [Langer]. “But in saying that, we’re all one of each. We’re all each other. We play for the same cause. We have huge respect for it. “It’s always a balancing act with the, I guess, what they say and how you take it.”

Head pointed to changes in playing conditions as a key factor behind falling batting returns, saying Test batting averages have dropped by close to 20 per cent since the end of the 2010s and the Sheffield Shield has seen a similar downturn since the mid-2000s. He cited Darren Lehmann’s record Sheffield Shield runs tally and noted that the top 10 in the competition’s history all played around the turn of the century as an illustration of how run-scoring patterns have shifted.

Noting the increased use of drop-in pitches and tougher batting surfaces, Head said Cricket Australia has asked curators to bias surfaces more towards batters. “It’s pretty obvious to see what the wickets were like back then to now,” he said. “We have huge respect for what’s come before us, but it’s a completely different game. “Sometimes it’s commented around unfairly on some of the wickets that teams have played on, whether that be Sheffield Shield, Test cricket. “We’ve seen games go quicker than ever. We’ve got a lot of stats that suggest that the ball’s doing a lot more.” He also said he would continue to open the batting in South Africa and that he was miffed by commentary about whether he should remain in that role.

Head confirmed he will open the batting in Friday’s first Test against South Africa in Durban.