On the fourth day of the first Test between Australia and India, Mohammed Siraj showed his potential as a fast bowler by dismissing two of Australia's top batsmen - Usman Khawaja and Steven Smith. With just four wickets down, Australia were struggling to chase a target of 534 runs. However, Travis Head and Smith formed a partnership to revive Australia's hopes, until Siraj struck again and ended their stand. With the pitch playing tricks, Siraj proved to be a vital asset for India, redeeming himself after a poor performance against New Zealand.
Travis Head: Australia's Rising Star in Test Cricket
Travis Head is an Australian cricketer who made his Test debut in 2016. A left-handed batsman and part-time off-spinner, Head has quickly established himself as a key member of the Australian team.
Early Career and Rise to Prominence
Head began his professional cricket career with the South Australia Redbacks in 2012. He made an immediate impact, scoring a century on debut in the Sheffield Shield. In 2015, he was selected for the Australian Under-19 team for the World Cup in Bangladesh.
Head's impressive performances for South Australia earned him a call-up to the Australian Test team for the tour of India in 2016. He made his Test debut in the second Test in Bangalore and scored a half-century in the first innings.
Breakthrough Series Against Pakistan
Head's breakthrough series came against Pakistan in 2018. In the first Test in Rawalpindi, he scored an unbeaten double-century to guide Australia to a comfortable victory. He followed that up with another century in the second Test in Abu Dhabi, solidifying his position in the Australian batting lineup.
Recent Form and Challenges
Head has continued to perform well in Test cricket, averaging over 40 in his 25 matches. However, he has also faced some challenges, particularly in the 2020-21 Ashes series against England.
In the first Test at Edgbaston, Head was dismissed for a golden duck. He then struggled for form in the remainder of the series, failing to reach double figures in five of his seven innings.
Fighting Spirit and Redemption
Despite his struggles in the Ashes, Head showed great fighting spirit. In the fourth Test at Old Trafford, he played a key role in Australia's victory by scoring a crucial half-century in the first innings.
Head continued his redemption arc in the recent Test series against India. In the first Test in Nagpur, he scored a century in the second innings, helping Australia to a narrow victory.
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