Travis Head felt the presence of Steve Smith allowed him to “sneak under the radar” as he cracked a wonderful century on day one of the World Test Championship final against India.
With 30 centuries, 8,792 runs and an average of just under 60, Smith is always a prize target whenever he steps on to the field.
But while he reasserted his class with a thoroughly composed innings of 95 not out at the Oval, it was Head who took centre stage with a dashing 146 not out.
Australia ended the day in charge of the showpiece on 327 for three, a huge position of strength given Head arrived at 76 for three.
Speaking after an unbroken stand of 251 with Smith, Head said: “We don’t talk too much out there but I do really enjoy batting with Steve, because of how much attention he receives in terms of the bowler’s plans.
“Whenever I bat with him I always feel like I’m in the shadows, that you can sneak under the radar and go about your business because he draws so much attention.
“I felt like that again today, I knew he wasn’t going to go anywhere once he got in that rhythm.
“He loves batting over here and he’s unbelievable in these conditions. We’re completely different but the partnership works really nicely.”
Head’s sixth Test hundred was a bruising affair, comprising 22 fours and a six, but it was most notable for being his first away from Australia.
With an Ashes series coming hot on the heels of the WTC final, he could hardly have timed the landmark better having been dismissed for 90 in Ahmedabad in March.
“It’s a nice feather in the cap, I’ll look back in the future on a nice little moment,” he said.
“I missed the chance in India a couple of months ago, but it doesn’t bother me too much. I just want to contribute and play well, if that’s a hundred great, but it doesn’t faze me in the slightest.
“This week is hugely important to us for the last two years of hard work but as we move to the Ashes if it’s a low scoring series I just want to contribute, even if that doesn’t mean hundreds.
“All you can do is be around your peers, see what they’re doing and try to excel. We’ll see where that leads us in the next six weeks.”
England's cautious approach to managing Jofra Archer during Australia ODI Series
England will continue to take a cautious approach to managing Jofra Archer's workload during the upcoming five-match One Day International (ODI) series against Australia. The Barbados-born fast bowler, who has been steadily reintroduced to international cricket following a series of injuries, will be closely monitored throughout the series, according to a report from ESPN Cricinfo.
Archer's return to the international stage has been managed with great care this year. After making his comeback with two T20 Internationals against Pakistan in May, he featured in all eight of England's matches during June's T20 World Cup, where he emerged as their joint-highest wicket-taker. However, since then, his playing time has been carefully limited. He did not play at all for Sussex in the latter half of the T20 Blast's group stages and was given intermittent rest periods during The Hundred, much to the frustration of Southern Brave captain James Vince.
Since The Hundred, Archer has only played two matches: a T20 Blast quarter-final for Sussex and one T20I for England against Australia, where he showcased his skill at the death by clean-bowling Sean Abbott and Xavier Bartlett in consecutive deliveries. He was rested for the second T20I in Cardiff, and the series decider was washed out by rain in Manchester. Despite these limited appearances, Archer has consistently proven why England has invested heavily in his recovery and return.
Archer is now part of England's 15-man squad for the ODI series against Australia, starting in Nottingham. However, given that he has not played a 50-over game in the last 18 months, he may be rested for one or two matches in the series. England is taking a gradual approach to increasing his workload, especially considering his long-term ambitions to return to red-ball cricket. Archer has not played a first-class match since May 2021 due to his persistent back and elbow issues.
"Jofra will have to be managed throughout the series," England captain Jos Buttler told Sky Sports on Sunday. "He's played a really good stint now of T20 cricket, but obviously you can only bowl four overs in there. There's a jump in intensity getting loads up to taking full part in an ODI - and of course, as an England fan, to push those loads up hopefully to get back into the Test arena as well."
England's interim coach, Marcus Trescothick, echoed Buttler's sentiments, emphasizing that Archer is aware of and comfortable with the long-term plan to manage his workload. "He knows the plan," Trescothick said. "It's discussed long in advance of picking the team on each day. We know what we're doing with him, and where we're going. He's comfortable: he knows what he's doing."
Trescothick further explained that managing Archer's workload is part of a broader strategy, involving coordination between the coaching staff, team directors, and medical personnel. "That's a bigger structure, in terms of what we're trying to do with Jofra. You come into the series knowing what we've got and what we can do with him. That's an agreed plan between the coaches, directors, physios, and all the different people. We'll still be managing him [in the ODIs] - exactly the same thing."
England's cautious approach to Archer's reintegration into international cricket reflects the value they place on his long-term fitness. With Archer having already shown glimpses of his match-winning capabilities, his careful management during the ODI series against Australia aims to ensure he remains a key asset for England in all formats of the game for years to come.
Republic Bank CPL to support Hurricane Beryl relief efforts
The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will be making a US$50,000 contribution to support tertiary level students who have had their last year of education significantly disrupted, following the horrendous impact of Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. Th disaster has had a massive impact on the lives of all residents in the northern parts of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique and has left students needing considerable support to complete their education.
The CPL’s donation will support students with accommodation, meals, transportation and school supplies while they continue their studies at T.A. Marryshow Community College. In addition, the CPL will be making a commitment to bring a number of these students to the CPL in 2025 to work as interns at the event to further help with their professional development as they consider their future career options.
Pete Russell, CPL’s CEO, said: “Everyone at CPL has been touched by the impact that Beryl has had across the region, and we are pleased that we are able to play our part by supporting these students as they complete their studies and look to a bright future ahead. Supporting the youth of the Caribbean is hugely important to us and we look forward to hearing of the progress of these students and welcoming them to the tournament next year where we are certain they will find working with the CPL team a hugely rewarding experience.”
Prime Minister of Grenada, the Honourable Dickon Mitchell, said: “We are very grateful for the support that Republic Bank CPL is giving to our young people as they look to rebuild their lives following the massive impact of Hurricane Beryl on Grenada. This support means that they can recover from the immediate impact of this disaster and focus solely on continuing their studies.”
Spinners earn St Lucia Kings crucial victory over Falcons in low-scoring encounter at Gros Islet
A comfortable 26-run victory by St Lucia Kings over Antigua & Barbuda Falcons on home turf in Gros Islet saw them keep their 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) campaign on track whilst consigning the Falcons to a sixth defeat in eight appearances in this year’s competition.
The Falcons won the toss and chose to insert the Kings in St Lucia but the home side’s top order started confidently with the bat in hand. Johnson Charles hit five boundaries for his 25 and Ackeem Auguste followed suit with a well made 35 off 28 deliveries after captain Faf du Plessis fell to Chris Green for 14 at the end of the fifth over.
Green was the pick of the bowlers for the Falcons, the Australian’s canny off breaks seeing him snare four top order wickets as the Kings tried to wrestle the initiative and set a commanding target. David Wiese belted four sixes at the close to see the Kings set 152-9 off their 20 overs.
The Falcons top order struggled and were 28-5 at the end of the PowerPlay and it looked as if they were in danger of a heavy defeat. Shamar Springer and captain Chris Green then rebuilt the innings by working the ball into the gaps, albeit the lack of boundaries meant that the Kings were never really put under any pressure defending their total.
Springer was run out just as the harder yards were done and it was time to open the shoulders and pose a late charge, and when Green fell caught by Seifert off Noor Ahmad for 48 off 37 deliveries the match drifted away for good. Khary Pierre was awarded the Player of the Match award for bagging 3-24 with his wily slow left arm, his three quick wickets of Kofi James, Sam Billings and Jahmar Hamilton was a top order gut punch that the Falcons failed to recover from.
The Kings move to second place in the table, Barbados Royals ahead of them on Net Run Rate and with a game in hand whilst the Falcons slip to second bottom and with plenty to do as the competition heads towards the business end.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
