Australia will be touring the West Indies for a red-ball tour since 2015. Since 2015-16, Australia has only toured Windies for the white ball tour and T20 World Cup. Ahead of the three-match Test series vs the Maroon Shirts, Travis Head spoke to the media and said the side is all geared up even in the absence of Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne.
“When we get into the game, it’ll be a little bit new look,” Travis Head said. “But guys have already played, so [they have] experience already in a short amount of Test cricket. There’s some guys there that have been a part of the group for a long time now, so it shouldn’t feel too much different.”
It will be the first time since 2018 that Australia will play a Test match without Marnus or Smith, the side, of course, will miss their presence, as Smith is recovering from injury while Marnus has been axed from the side after continuous poor form.
Josh Inglis and Sam Konstas will replace the said players in Australia’s lineup.
Speaking about Josh Inglis, Head said that Josh is a sort of player who cover all the “bases”
“He can cover so many bases,” Head said of Inglis. “[He’s had] limited opportunity in a long time being in the squad. It feels like he’s played a lot more than he has for Australia. Once he gets his extended stay in the team, I think he’ll excel. He’s already showed great application in Sri Lanka. He’s [been] in some tough roles as well… I think he’s well-adapted and ready to go. He’s been waiting for a long time.”
Speaking of preparation, Head said that the team is preparing well for both “spin and pace”
“I think we’re prepared for anything, really, and prepared for maybe both [seam and spin] in the same game,” Head said. “We could be starting the game and then it could shift into different modes and plans of attack. So, as a batter, you’re just sort of planning for anything at the moment. And then once you get a look at the lay of the land, come up with a plan, and try to cover all bases.”
In contrast to two years ago, when they entered an Ashes series immediately after defeating India in the World Test Championship final, Australia now have to consider the defeat to South Africa, which occurred after they had the game for the taking on the second day.
“It’s unfortunate we put two years of hard work into one week and [it] didn’t quite go to plan,” Head said. “Fair play, the opposition played really, really well.
“We’ve got two more years to build, and this is a first look at it. I think if you dwell on it for too long, or if you look back, you forget about what’s moving forward. Of course, we care and, of course, it’s not ideal. But at the end of the day you can’t change it. You have to move on. You have to get back on the horse.”
