Australia opener Travis Head has launched a stinging defence of his team and the national selectors, accusing former players turned commentators of "putting a bullet" through the current Test side ahead of the first Test against South Africa in Durban.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Head did not name any pundit directly, but his remarks came a day after former opener Matthew Hayden accused the selectors of promoting "the greatest pile of mediocrity that we've seen in a generation of cricket" in a podcast.
Hayden's criticism was aimed at the recall of Nic Maddinson, who rejoined the Test squad in South Africa after Josh Inglis fractured his finger and Cameron Green suffered a stomach injury. Maddinson, 34, played the last of his three Tests almost a decade ago and carries a first-class average of 37.11 — below the 45-run average Hayden says selectors should demand.
"I think it's unfairly judged a fair bit from a group of past players, pretty much that put the bullet through a lot of players, which I think is unfair," Head said. "But that's what they're paid to do. Some of them need a job, so they go after us, and that's totally fine."
"This group is strong enough to deal with those sorts of things. That's how it is. It's unfortunate sometimes to have some of that feedback from a generation of players that we have huge respect for, but that's the caper."
Head praised Maddinson's ability and defended the preference for experienced players, saying the team needed "mature guys that know what they need to be doing". He also suggested pitches had changed over the years, contributing to the dip in batting averages.
According to reports, Head linked the divide between the current side and its former greats to the 2022 sacking of Justin Langer as head coach, saying the past generation remained proud of "one of their own". Fox Sports noted the current team has won 14 of its past 17 Tests despite the scrutiny.
The first Test at Kingsmead in Durban begins on Friday, October 9.
Sources:
Australia's Head hits back at critics 'putting a bullet' through the team — Reuters
'Some of them need a job, so they go after us': Travis Head hits back at former Oz players — The Indian Express
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Head did not name any pundit directly, but his remarks came a day after former opener Matthew Hayden accused the selectors of promoting "the greatest pile of mediocrity that we've seen in a generation of cricket" in a podcast.
Hayden's criticism was aimed at the recall of Nic Maddinson, who rejoined the Test squad in South Africa after Josh Inglis fractured his finger and Cameron Green suffered a stomach injury. Maddinson, 34, played the last of his three Tests almost a decade ago and carries a first-class average of 37.11 — below the 45-run average Hayden says selectors should demand.
"I think it's unfairly judged a fair bit from a group of past players, pretty much that put the bullet through a lot of players, which I think is unfair," Head said. "But that's what they're paid to do. Some of them need a job, so they go after us, and that's totally fine."
"This group is strong enough to deal with those sorts of things. That's how it is. It's unfortunate sometimes to have some of that feedback from a generation of players that we have huge respect for, but that's the caper."
Head praised Maddinson's ability and defended the preference for experienced players, saying the team needed "mature guys that know what they need to be doing". He also suggested pitches had changed over the years, contributing to the dip in batting averages.
According to reports, Head linked the divide between the current side and its former greats to the 2022 sacking of Justin Langer as head coach, saying the past generation remained proud of "one of their own". Fox Sports noted the current team has won 14 of its past 17 Tests despite the scrutiny.
The first Test at Kingsmead in Durban begins on Friday, October 9.
Sources:
Australia's Head hits back at critics 'putting a bullet' through the team — Reuters
'Some of them need a job, so they go after us': Travis Head hits back at former Oz players — The Indian Express
