Travis Head, Australia's versatile all-format player, has signed a one-year deal to return to the Adelaide Strikers for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season. However, his hectic international schedule will limit his availability to a maximum of three games.
Head, 30, captained the Strikers to the BBL title in 2017-18 but has not played for the club since the 2022-23 season. His return is a significant boost for the Strikers, who are looking to improve on their disappointing performance last season.
However, Head's availability will be limited due to his commitments to the Australian Test team. The upcoming five-match Test series against India, followed by a Test tour of Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy, means he will only be available for three matches on January 11, 15, and 18.
The BBL had hoped that Australia's Test stars would be available to give the competition a boost at the back end of this summer's tournament. However, there are concerns over player workload coming out of a gruelling Test series against India and with so little time to prepare for an overseas Test tour in spinning conditions in Sri Lanka.
Head's workload has become a key consideration for Australia's selectors and coaching staff since he became an all-format player in the last 12 months. There were concerns over his decision to play in the recent Major League Cricket tournament in July, which came on the back of a busy period of playing that included the ODI World Cup, five home Tests, a T20I and Test tour of New Zealand, the IPL, and the T20 World Cup.
Head is being rested from the ODI and T20I series against Pakistan ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, partly due to the upcoming birth of his second child. But his decision to add some BBL cricket in January means his next decent break will likely have to wait until after the Champions Trophy in February and March.
New Strikers coach Tim Paine is aware of Head's workload but was keen to have him play some BBL matches. "We understand Trav has a hectic international schedule," Paine said. "But we also know how much he loves getting back in the blue whenever the chance arises and we look forward to our fans being treated to more of his magic this summer."
Tags: #TravisHead, #AdelaideStrikers, #BBL, #AustralianCricket, #TestCricket
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