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Head focused on ODIs, not Test cricket

Rising South Australian batsman Travis Head says his immediate focus is on retaining his place in the national one-day team, not obsessing over a Test call-up.

Travis Head of Australia
Travis Head says his immediate focus is on retaining his place in the national one-day team. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Travis Head is one player not obsessed with Test cricket as he looks, first and foremost, to nail down a permanent spot in Australia's one-day team.

Head arrived in Sydney on Wednesday to join the national squad, heartened by a drought-breaking Sheffield Shield century for South Australia against Victoria at the MCG.

His first-innings 130 couldn't save SA from defeat but it was just the knock he needed ahead of Sunday's series-opening ODI against New Zealand at the SCG.

"I feel in good form, which is good," said Head, who only made his international limited-overs debut in 2016.

"I'm coming off a good game against Victoria. I've had starts in games and haven't been able to get the sort of not outs batting at six and finish games off, which I've been pretty disappointed about.

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"But also just to win games for Australia, that's what I'm here to do and, if I get my opportunity this week, I feel in good form and, hopefully, if I can do that and then if that gets me picked further down the track, then great."

Head knows it is the perfect time to impress selectors who are willing to blood new talent, as the Test side try to build on their Adelaide pink-ball win over South Africa to end a run of five straight defeats.

But it's not the big-hitting 22-year-old's priority.

"There are opportunities but you've got to get runs as well and that's something I haven't done this season until this week," Head said.

"I've been getting starts but haven't been able to go on and get a big score. This week, I was able to do that and it's just about trying to capture whatever that was and keep the momentum going personally and win games for Australia.

"That's what I'm here to do."

After a 5-0 series defeat in South Africa, world champions Australia's No.1 ODI ranking will be in jeopardy should they lose to the Kiwis and Head admits that's driving the team.

"There's always pressure on that," he said.

"We'll try and still play as the No.1 side. I think we've done that quite well over the last few years.

"Coming into the squad, I guess that's one thing that stands out - is how professional everyone is.

"So there's no doubt we'll be trying to hold onto that."


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