After two centuries in the Test series and disappointing outings with the bat the MCG, Travis Head turned out to be Australia's man with the golden arm on Day 5. Head broke the partnership between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant. However, that was not the only reason why Head was introduced into the bowling attack in the third session. After the 184-run win, Australia captain Pat Cummins revealed that it was head coach Andrew McDonald's idea to bring him into the attack. Also, they wanted to keep up with the over-rate that took a hit due to fast bowlers having a crack at Indian batters.
"I give the coach (McDonald) the credit for that one, we were also behind on the over-rate so we thought let's get Travis in there and he might get a breakthrough," Cummins said in the post-match presentation.
Australia introduced spin fron both ends. It may have prevented them from facing a penalty in form of points in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle.
Head triggers batting collapse
Head got the wicket of Pant in the 59th over of the innings. He played a slog sweep and was caught in the deep by Mitchell Marsh. He scored 30 runs from 104 balls. Then Nathan Lyon dismissed centurion of the first innings, young Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Spinners operating in the middle also gave a breather to the fast bowlers who returned to cause a collapse. From 121 for 3, India were bowled out for 155 in the run chase of 340. Head bowled five overs conceded 14 runs and got the prized wicket of Pant. In the first innings, he bowled three overs but did not get a wicket.
"I was told I was bowling, not too pleased with things, but no, we have been a pretty relaxed group and nothing much changed. We knew what we had to do. Pat and Ronny (Andrew McDonald) come up with the plans, they had a chat and we delivered that. Just get me on," Head told the broadcasters on the plan of giving him the ball to break the partnership.