Home
Australian opener Travis Head has confirmed he will miss the remainder of the Big Bash League (BBL) season with the Adelaide Strikers, citing the grueling Ashes schedule as the primary reason. Head emphasized the immense mental and physical toll of the iconic rivalry against England, explaining that he needs a necessary break in January to recharge before shifting focus to the ICC T20 World Cup in India.
Travis Head to not play Big Bash League
The decision follows a high-stakes series where Head played in all five matches, proving instrumental to Australia’s success. While he began the series batting at number five, he was eventually promoted to the top of the order—a move that yielded immediate results. His transition to the opening slot was highlighted by a commanding century in the second innings of the Perth Test, cementing his status as a versatile threat in the longest format.
ALSO READ: Adam Gilchrist drops massive health update on Damien Martin, says 'Last 24 hours...'
Playing BBL unlikely with the emotional drain of an Ashes series: Travis Head
Statistically, Head has been a powerhouse throughout the summer, amassing 437 runs across four matches, including two vital centuries in Perth and Adelaide. Despite this rich vein of form, the star batsman believes relinquishing his spot in the BBL is essential for his long-term performance. By prioritizing rest now, he aims to ensure he is at peak fitness for Australia’s upcoming T20 World Cup campaign.
When asked directly about his potential involvement in the current BBL season, the Australian opener told Daily Telegraph:
“Probably unlikely with the emotional drain of an Ashes series, and what’s coming up in terms of the World Cup".
While the Adelaide Strikers currently hold a strong position in the Big Bash League standings, they will have to proceed without Travis Head’s veteran experience at the top of the order. The franchise would have undoubtedly benefited from his explosive batting, but the star opener has made it clear that his immediate priority is preparing for international duties.
Looking ahead, Head is expected to play a pivotal role for Australia at the ICC T20 World Cup in India. He is slated to anchor the top of the batting order alongside Mitchell Marsh, forming a high-impact opening partnership that will be crucial to Australia's hopes of securing another world title.
ALSO READ: Shreyas Iyer shows improvement in fitness as international return beckons vs New Zealand
“You go into every series wanting to have a good contribution. I felt like I’ve been close to that and played really well. And the emotional drain of actually being in an Ashes series and playing it is always tough,” Head added.
'It’s important to go into a World Cup fresh'
Head has voiced significant concerns regarding the modern cricket calendar, highlighting the heavy burden placed on multi-format players. He noted that the combination of a compact international schedule and the proliferation of global franchise tournaments leaves elite athletes with almost no opportunity for personal time or rest. To combat this exhaustion, Head has prioritized spending quality time with his family before his schedule intensifies once again. This period of recharge is a strategic move ahead of a demanding subcontinental stretch, which includes Australia’s campaign at the T20 World Cup in India followed immediately by his IPL commitments with the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
“So I think it’s important to go into a World Cup fresh, but we’ll see where we get to, though. It’s a concern with how much we’ve already been playing and how much time we’ve got on the road,” Head concluded.
ADVERTISEMENT
