Head achieved success in the Ashes last summer, scoring two centuries and being named Player of the Series, but this year’s two campaigns in Asia scored 91 at 15.17 with the highest score of 26.
With Australia desperate to end their Test victory drought in India next year (where they have won just one match since 2004), Border believes Head should be able to adapt his strategy to the spinning position. Will have to modify it if it is to survive and then thrive in Baggy Green.
The former captain is well placed to do justice; Through his decorated career, he scored 1,799 Test runs in Asia at 54.51, while there his six centuries came in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
“He needs to sit down and do a good job at the moment, that’s for sure,” said Border, speaking at the ‘Buy a Picket’ campaign at Queensland Cricket’s newly redeveloped Allan Border Field.
“I’ve talked to him a little bit about batting on spinning wickets. He has to learn how to sweep, and sweep well. And he has to use his feet – people are not ready to go down the track and defend.
“Just a few subtle things. He’s a very good player against anything other than a turning ball. That’s the chime he has to work on, but it’s (play the) sweep shot, use your feet, front Get on the foot, and when you’re trying to defend, use nice gentle hands.
“We’re going to go into the subcontinent a lot, so if he wants to be in the frame, he’s going to have to learn how to play the turning ball.”
The former opener experienced a record-breaking campaign in India in 2001, scoring 549 runs at 109.80 and making excellent use of the sweep shot. By the end of his career, he had scored 1,663 runs at 50.39 in Asia – better than only Border and Ponting (1,889 at 41.97) between Australia.
“Hayden is a great example,” said Allan Border. “You’re talking about a kid who played five matches a year at the Gabba, then WACA… Sydney (SCG pitch) turned, that was the only place that really (gave you a chance to bat) as a spin bowler. Against.
“He’s just developed a great sweep shot, and it’s a tough shot, because if you do it wrong and you get hit on the pads, now with the DRS … not necessarily given out.”
Travis Head performed brilliantly in the third ODI against Sri Lanka to score 70 on a turning pitch in Colombo, and then admitted that he made a mistake in his plans when he was dismissed for six on a minefield in Galle in the first Test. Had it.