December 15, 2024: Australia’s star batter Steve Smith was all praise for his teammate Travis Head after the latter’s brilliant 152-run knock in the ongoing Brisbane Test against India. The pair shared a game-changing 241-run partnership, which helped Australia recover from a precarious 75/3 to post a solid total in the first innings.
On Day 2 of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Head continued his impressive form, scoring 152 runs off 160 balls with an aggressive strike rate of 95.00. His innings included 18 fours, and his ability to play unconventional shots and score quickly put India’s bowlers on the backfoot. This marked his second consecutive century in the series, following his standout performance in the previous Test.
While Head stole the limelight with his swashbuckling knock, Steve Smith played a crucial role in anchoring the innings. He contributed a patient 101 runs off 190 balls, maintaining a strike rate of 53.16. Smith’s knock was pivotal in ensuring Australia’s dominance in the game, especially after they had been reduced to 75/3 earlier in the day.
Speaking after the day’s play, Smith heaped praise on Head for his ability to take the game away from the opposition, particularly in the way he accelerated the scoreboard and troubled the Indian bowlers.
“The way he is able to put the bowlers under pressure from the outset is quite incredible. He’s got an unbelievable eye, and the areas in which he scores make it tough to set fields,” Smith said, highlighting Head’s unique ability to find gaps and exploit the opposition’s field placements.
Smith also noted how Head’s attacking style made batting alongside him an exciting experience. “He’s batting beautifully, he’s confident, and it’s great to be in a partnership with him because the scoreboard moves so quickly,” Smith said, referring to how fast their partnership developed. “I was in the sheds with him, and he said, ‘Geez, that went quick today.’ And I was like, ‘It did, it sure did,'” Smith added, reflecting on how swiftly the runs came during their partnership.
Head’s century, coupled with Smith’s steady innings, has placed Australia in a commanding position in the third Test of the series. After being reduced to 75/3, the 241-run partnership between the two batters ensured Australia posted a competitive total. Their combined efforts were crucial in taking the lead against India, with Smith eventually being dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah, who had him caught behind by Rohit Sharma in the slips.
With Head and Smith both in fine form, Australia has put themselves in a strong position, and much of the credit for the recovery lies with their partnership. Head’s ability to score quickly and Smith’s ability to anchor the innings have made them a formidable pair, and they will look to build on this momentum in the coming days of the Test.
