Travis Head has stated there was ‘no probability’ he was going to place his pads again on for a proposed exhibition match on the MCG on Sunday, after the Boxing Day Take a look at resulted in two days.
Followers with tickets to days three and 4 of the match had been left shortchanged after 36 wickets fell in simply 141 overs, with England occurring to assert a four-wicket victory.
Previous to this Take a look at collection, it had been 104 years since a Take a look at match had completed inside two days in Australia. However now, after the Perth Take a look at additionally completed in report time, we’ve witnessed two two-day Exams within the area of a month, with Cricket Australia dealing with over $10million in losses because of misplaced income on account of tickets and broadcasting.
However after the Take a look at had ended prematurely in Melbourne on Saturday, Cricket Australia had mentioned a plan to stage an exhibition match.
Melbourne Cricket Membership (MCC) chief Stuart Fox was additionally in favour of internet hosting the occasion.
‘There have been options mentioned and that’s actually a matter for Cricket Australia as a result of they supply the content material,’ Fox stated on Sunday as gamers from the Australian workforce gathered in Yarra Park exterior the MCG to greet followers.
Travis Head (pictured) claimed on Sunday that there was ‘no probability’ that he was turning out for an exhibition match on the MCG within the wake of England’s two-day victory
Followers with tickets to days three and 4 of the match had been left shortchanged after 36 wickets fell in 141 overs throughout, with England occurring to assert a four-wicket victory
Nevertheless, hopes that gamers may have turned out for a knock on the MCG didn’t materialise.
‘There was speak of gamers popping out and having a success at the moment however that didn’t stand up, and I do know Cricket Australia has responded with having a dwell web site right here for followers to come back down,’ Fox stated.
As an alternative, the Aussie workforce made as much as the followers by signing autographs, with all of Pat Cummins, Steve Smith and Michael Neser standing on stage to subject questions from the group.
Travis Head stopped to fulfill members of the media and was requested how he felt about getting again out in the midst of the MCG for a one-day match towards England after struggling defeat.
‘I’m not enjoying these guys (England) in a one-dayer — no probability,’ the South Australian stated, laughing.
‘Sadly it’s simply the way it falls (a two-day Take a look at match), and we’ve obtained much more time to speak about groups and choice and Sydney and Noosa and all types (laughs).’
‘I don’t know, everybody will discuss one thing for the following — I don’t know, what day is it at the moment.’
Head, who will rejoice his birthday on Monday, added: ‘It’s good to be off on a birthday for as soon as.’
To make it as much as followers, the Australian cricket workforce arrived on the fanzone at Yarra Park on Sunday for a meet and greet
The workforce signed autographs, spoke with followers and delivered their verdicts on the collection up to now
Head mingled with the followers at Yarra Park and stated it was good to provide again to the supporters.
‘It’s the least we are able to do,’ the Aussie hero stated.
Whereas all eyes have been on the spicy MCG pitch, each England and Australia’s batters underwhelmed.
It was the primary Take a look at in Australia the place a batter has not posted a half-century or century since 1932, with Head making the best particular person rating of the match – 46.
Questions are mounting over rookie batter Jake Weatherald’s place within the aspect. After posting his first Take a look at half-century in Brisbane three weeks in the past, Weatherald has since struggled to search out runs, averaging 8.5 runs throughout the Adelaide and Melbourne Exams.
Head has thrown his help behind Weatherald, claiming that he has batted effectively on difficult surfaces.
‘He confirmed lots of glimpses over his first 4 Exams, and it isn’t all the time going to go your approach,’ Head stated of his former South Australia team-mate.
Cameron Inexperienced, Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja are additionally dealing with scrutiny within the wake of the Melbourne Take a look at.
![Head joked that he wasn't 'playing these guys [England] in a one-dayer' before going on to say turning out to sign autographs was 'the least we could do'](https://i0.wp.com/i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/12/28/15/105061463-15417393-image-a-117_1766936684524.jpg?resize=634%2C423&ssl=1 "105061463 15417393 image a 117 1766936684524")
Head joked that he wasn’t ‘enjoying these guys [England] in a one-dayer’ earlier than occurring to say turning out to signal autographs was ‘the least we may do’
‘There’s lots of guys who’ve seemed like they have been underneath the pump with the bat who’re a few of our greatest of our era, so it may be a tricky approach to begin your worldwide profession.
‘However l suppose he is [Weatherald] is an efficient sufficient participant to play worldwide cricket.’
Weatherald has been trapped lbw thrice and caught behind twice, and general dismissed seven occasions in 4 other ways by England’s bowlers all through the collection.
‘Positively you may say it is a optimistic that that’s the case, that he hasn’t obtained a pattern,’ Head stated.
‘The runs have not been there within the final couple of Exams, however (he) performed an important innings for us in Brisbane.
‘So over a collection you are searching for moments in time that can win you a collection.’
Weatherald and Labuschagne seem prone to maintain their spots for the Sydney Take a look at, however Inexperienced’s spot is underneath critical risk.
Head additionally rose to the defence of his Aussie team-mate Jake Weatherald (centre) after he struggled in Melbourne and Adelaide
The West Australian has averaged simply 18.66 with the bat this collection and was closely criticised over his two dismissals in Melbourne.
In the meantime, Khawaja faces a name on his enjoying future forward of what Australian nice Brett Lee believes could possibly be a ‘particular’ farewell for the veteran in Sydney.
Khawaja has endured a rollercoaster Ashes collection, averaging 30.6 from 5 innings with one half-century.
The previous Take a look at opener was moved to No.4 in Perth and missed the Brisbane Take a look at with a again damage.
He returned with 82 and 40 in Adelaide however was out for 29 and a second-ball duck within the Boxing Day Take a look at.
At 39, Khawaja is nearing the tip of his Take a look at profession, however is but to make an announcement on his quick enjoying future.
Former quick bowler Lee stated the Sydney Take a look at could possibly be a becoming stage for his fellow NSW product to retire.
‘That’ll be as much as him, however it’d be a particular approach for him to exit, would not it?’ Lee stated on Sunday.
At 39, Usman Khawaja (pictured) is nearing the tip of his Take a look at profession, however is but to make an announcement on his quick enjoying future.
‘House floor, an opportunity to win (the collection) 4-1, however we’ll wait and see in a few days.’
Lee conceded Khawaja’s age counts towards him enjoying on past this collection however paid tribute to the left-hander.
Khawaja has made greater than 8000 worldwide runs, together with 6206 from 87 Exams at a mean of 43.39.
‘Simply a few weeks in the past he was, and has been, one among Australia’s biggest batsmen,’ Lee stated.
‘He is within the workforce due to what he is achieved, and he wasn’t neglected (in Brisbane) on account of type. He was neglected due to his damage – his again.
‘I do not know what is going on on in his life, when it comes to his skilled cricket life, however all I can say is that he is been instrumental for Australia.
‘He is been such an ideal function mannequin for younger youngsters coming by.’
