"I don't mind them coming out and saying that" - Michael Clarke responds to Akash Deep's comments on Travis Head ahead of BGT 2024-25 4th Test

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke feels Indian pacer Akash Deep's comments on Travis Head's short-ball weaknesses were inbounds ahead of the crucial fourth Test in Melbourne, starting December 26. Head has been a thorn in the Indian side with back-to-back centuries in the second and third Test in Adelaide and Brisbane.

Addressing the media in the build-up to the Melbourne Test, Akash Deep said about Head:

"I think Travis Head, in particular, struggles against short balls. We won’t let him settle at the crease. We’ll target specific areas and hope to force him into mistakes, which will create chances for us."

Head was dismissed by a short-of-length delivery, which he top-edged in a bid for quick runs in the second innings. Yet, the Indian bowlers have been guilty of not testing the attacking left-hander enough with the short-ball plan.

Responding to Akash Deep's comments on Head, Clarke said on the Around the Wicket Podcast (Via @Neroli_Meadows X handle]:

"I don't mind them coming out and saying that just to put it in Travis Head's mind. The key to someone like Travis Head, he is playing smart cricket. He is coming in when the ball is not brand new and maximizing by saying 'better the bowling the more aggressive I am going to be'. He's backing himself and is full of confidence playing his natural game."

He added:

"The key for India is not to ball chase and look to get him out. If Travis Head scores 40 off 10 or 20 balls, I wouldn't be too concerned if he is out. What you don't want is Travis Head getting past 40-50 because he knows how to make big hundreds."

Travis Head is currently the leading run-scorer after three Tests with 409 runs at an average of 81.80 and a strike rate of 94.23.

His stunning centuries helped Australia win the Adelaide encounter and dominate the drawn contest in Brisbane.

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"He is walking to the crease and they are going defensive with their fields" - Aaron Finch on Travis Head

BORDER GAVASKAR TROPHY TEST: DEC 15 third NRMA Insurance Test - Source: Getty

Another former Australian captain Aaron Finch believes India immediately going defensive once Travis Head comes out to bat helps the batter gain momentum from the start of his innings.

Finch also criticized Australia for following a similar plan to India's wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant. Yet, Pant has struggled to convert his starts in the series, averaging under 20 with a highest score of 37 in five innings.

"The one thing they (India) are doing with Travis Head - He is walking to the crease and they are going defensive with their fields and they're bowling defensive to try and contain early on. You can't contain guys who score as freely as Travis Head, no matter how many players you put in the deep," said Finch.

He added:

"They've just been negative to him and that's happened from Australia at times too when Rishabh Pant comes out to bat. Fielders scatter and before you know it, you nick one and there's two slips instead of three. And you start to have the momentum go your way just through your presence at the crease and your intent to try and score. I would like to see from both teams - be more attacking to the attacking batters."

Even in a series where the batters have largely struggled, Head has found the perfect method to dominate the Indian attack.

Yet, the five-Test series still hangs in the balance at 1-1 with the final two Tests to be played in Melbourne and Sydney.