Star Australian batter Travis Head believes Team India will encounter significantly different pitches compared to their previous tours of Australia. Reflecting on the 2023-24 home summer, the left-handed batter noted that none of the Tests went into Day 5.
As reported by Perth Now, before the 2020-21 series against India, a wicket fell every 66.6 deliveries across the previous six summers. However, in recent seasons, the pitches have become more bowler-friendly, with the average dropping to 52.
In a recent interview with AAP, the South Australian admitted that even local batters have struggled on these surfaces, and the style of play has evolved as a result. He commented:
“You look back at those series, cricket in Australia, the Tests we have played have changed a little bit. The style we need to play has changed with the wickets we have been dealt. It’s been tough the past couple of years.”
Head further added: “That will be the big difference between the last time India came. Most of the Tests got to the fifth day. I don’t think we even played into the fifth day last summer. There were real up and down Tests on some tougher wickets.”
David Warner was Australia’s sole Test centurion in the 2023-24 summer, scoring 164 against Pakistan in Perth. The hosts also suffered a loss to the West Indies, falling short of chasing 216 in Brisbane.
“It’s like us travelling to India and playing on their pitches”- Travis Head
However, Head pointed out that these lively wickets help narrow the gap between the home team and the visitors. The South Australian elaborated in the same interview:
“Their batters in different conditions, it will be tough for them. They played South Africa a little while ago and they won one and lost one on some dicey wickets. It’s uncomfortable. It’s like us going to India and playing on theirs.”
“It probably helps us a little bit. If it was us and England on juicy wickets you would probably say it benefits England. But their bowlers are so good, it takes the spinners out of it a little bit. It takes the spinners out of it a bit maybe,” he added.
The first of the five-Test series between Australia and India kicks off on November 22 in Perth.
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