Steve Smith Lauds Travis Head’s Exceptional Performance in Brisbane
Steve Smith has lavished praise on his Australian teammate, Travis Head, after the latter scored back-to-back centuries in the ongoing third Test against India in Brisbane. Head, who had already scored a commanding 140 in the second Test at Adelaide, followed it up with a brilliant 152 runs on Day 2 of the third Test in Brisbane.
Smith, who also made a century—his first since June 2023—formed a powerful 241-run partnership with Head for the fourth wicket. Reflecting on Head’s consistency and remarkable performance, Smith expressed his admiration for the aggressive and relentless nature of his batting.
Smith Describes Travis Head as a “Special” and “Exceptional” Player
“I had a great seat in the house to watch Travis bat,” said Steve Smith in a post-day press conference. “Travis is consistently performing well. It’s incredible how he puts pressure on bowlers. His batting is unbelievable, and it’s tough to place fielders for him,” Smith added.
The former Australia captain emphasized that Head’s talent has been a standout feature in the series. Describing Head as a “special” player, Smith noted the lack of need for much communication between them while batting. “We don’t actually say much to each other out there. He just says, ‘do your thing,’ and I say, ‘do your thing,’ and we move on. It was cool to witness that again. He’s a special player right now,” Smith said, admiring his teammate’s current form.
Steve Smith Reflects on His First Test Century in Months
Steve Smith’s century on Day 2 was his 33rd in Test cricket and came after a long wait since his last century in June 2023. Speaking about the achievement, Smith remarked, “It was nice to reach three figures. It’s been a while. It’s good to contribute today. The last few games have been tricky for me. I’ve faced some good balls and been caught down the leg side. But I’ve trusted myself and got some luck early on,” Smith stated.
Smith also shed light on the adjustments he made to his batting technique. “I’ve been changing my setup every game for the last 15 years. So, it’s nothing new. This was a bouncy track, so I was standing outside the crease, keeping my left leg open. Obviously, I had some luck early on, which you need on these surfaces,” he explained.
Smith also reflected on how the game of cricket has a way of turning around. “I’ve played long enough to know that the game turns around. Last time, I was unlucky down the leg side, but today, luck was on my side. On another day, I might have nicked one of those balls,” the 35-year-old added.
Travis Head Enjoys Playing Aggressively and Reflects on His Performance
Travis Head, who has been in scintillating form, spoke with enthusiasm after scoring his second consecutive century. “It’s pretty special to do this after my ton at Adelaide Oval. It’s all about being as positive as I can. I thought I had to spend some time in the middle, and credit goes to the top-3 guys for handling the new ball. It made my task easier, and I could play my shots. I felt very positive against the new ball, but it was fun to be aggressive,” Head said in his post-day comments.
Head also reflected on his partnership with Steve Smith, stating, “When he bats well, I often go unnoticed. I thought he was moving well, and that allowed me to be proactive. I just enjoy playing, and I want to do well for the team and the guys in the team. I love playing long innings, and I’m just enjoying the moment.”
Australia Sets a Strong Foundation at the End of Day 2
By the end of Day 2, Australia had posted a commanding 405/7, following their overnight score of 28/0. While Day 1 had been interrupted by rain, only 13.2 overs were bowled, Day 2 saw a full day’s play, allowing both teams to make progress. The five-match series is currently tied 1-1, with India winning the first Test in Perth and Australia securing a victory in the second Test in Adelaide.