Marnus Labuschagne is increasingly likely to hold his spot.<\/a><\/p>\nNic Maddinson will almost certainly be dropped for the returning Cameron Green, while Josh Inglis and Cooper Connolly will both come under consideration, leaving Beau Webster similarly vulnerable.<\/p>\n
Nathan Lyon, omitted for the second Test, is also in the mix to return depending on how the Newlands pitch presents.<\/p>\n
In making 121 in the second innings at Gqeberha, Head became just the second Australian for the series to reach 50, with Matt Renshaw having done so across both digs of the first Test.<\/p>\n
It continued a recent trend of Australia being overly reliant on one batter, with Green having done the heavy lifting during the split Top End series with Bangladesh.<\/p>\n
Head conceded the Aussies needed more players to stand up with the bat at a time.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we\u2019ve spoken as a group going into the series that we\u2019ve sort of had one individual each time, and they\u2019ve always been different individuals, and we sort of haven\u2019t been able to get that collective batting day that we would desire as a team,\u201d Head said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomething that the team\u2019s been really good at over a long period of time is be able to build big partnerships, substantial partnerships to win games of cricket. We just haven\u2019t been able to find that in the last couple of months. It\u2019s very hard to put a finger on why, we\u2019re playing some exceptional attacks in some trying conditions, but yeah, it\u2019s no lack of trying.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yet rather than throw the baby out with the bathwater, Head insisted that the team was capable, pointing to its No. 1 spot on the ICC Test rankings as proof that though massively disappointing at St. George\u2019s Park, Australia remained a more than competent side.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s pretty clear what we got wrong. We had a pretty s**thouse day (on day four). As simple as that. I don\u2019t think if we don\u2019t get bowled out for 99, more than likely the Test goes to a draw,\u201d vice-captain Head said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s pretty obvious what we did poorly. So I think there\u2019s disappointment in the room. We\u2019ll talk about it over the next few days. We have a couple of training sessions. Guys will be switched on. Guys will be ready to go again, and we push on.\u201d<\/p>\n
As inevitably happens when Australia loses, especially when the defeat is heavy, the scrutiny is fierce. But Head was resolute in speaking about a team that has not lost a bilateral Test series since 2023.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got a strong Australian cricket team. We haven\u2019t played very well, and people doubt that over this week. They doubt that it\u2019s a strong cricket team. It\u2019s a strong cricket team. It has been over a period of time. We\u2019ve had a s*** week. That\u2019s OK.\u201d<\/p>\n
No player is more squarely under the public microscope than Labuschagne, who hasn\u2019t played a Test ton in more than three years and perhaps more pertinently has made six scores between 30 and 49 in nine Test innings this year. Australian captain Pat Cummins hinted that Labuschagne was likely to hold his spot for one final chance ahead of the home Test summer, and Head said he could relate to having a run of unconverted starts.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been there before. It\u2019s a tough place to be when you think you\u2019re batting well. I\u2019ve probably been there more than anyone. 30s and 40s, and feel like you\u2019re close, and then it\u2019s not quite there. And timing\u2019s always tough as well,\u201d Head said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s obviously pressure on. That\u2019s pretty obvious to see, and obvious in the way (Labuschagne reacted when he) obviously got away with and lbw (in the second innings). <\/p>\n
\u201cHe knows it was a big moment. He\u2019s disappointed, but again, you revert back to the process. Nothing\u2019s ever guaranteed in the game, and I can\u2019t speak on what happens in the future. <\/p>\n
\u201cTest cricket is bloody hard, but we\u2019re in a performance-based game, so look, everyone feels the pressure. I felt the pressure over the last couple of weeks. I\u2019ve been desperate for runs, so everyone feels that no matter what position, Steve Smith\u2019s got 11,000 Test runs. I reckon he\u2019s felt pressure at some stage. Everyone wants to score. Everyone wants to be consistent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith is yet to reach 30 across four innings this series, and was laboured by neck spasms in the second Test. The former captain has descended on Cape Town for his first Test appearance at Newlands since the infamous sandpaper scandal, but despite the heightened attention and likely rehashing of that episode, Head backed Smith to thrive.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019ll be fine,\u201d Head said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think he showed that in (20) 19 in England. It\u2019d be nice to have a crowd. I\u2019m hearing good things about Cape Town, so a good atmosphere is always good. We support him. I think he\u2019s been through a lot in that space. I think he handles it well. Sometimes it brings the best out of him, as we\u2019ve seen in the past. So I know he\u2019s been in the wars. He\u2019ll rest up in the next few days, and I think he\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Originally published as Travis Head insists Australia can quickly rebound from the second Test innings defeat in South Africa<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Chastened after their capituatlion at St. George\u2019s Park, the tourists have ventured to Cape Town for the 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