Travis Head Eyes 3,000 ODI Runs in Final Match Against India

Australian opener Travis Head is poised to reach a significant milestone as he approaches 3,000 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs). With only 22 runs required, Head has the opportunity to achieve this feat in the final match of the ODI series against India, scheduled for March 15, 2024, in Sydney. Australia has already secured the series with a commanding 2-0 lead, leaving India striving for a consolation victory.

Despite Head’s impressive track record, his performance in the first two ODIs has been somewhat subdued. He managed to score only eight and 28 runs in those matches. Across his career in 78 ODIs and 75 innings, Head has amassed 2,978 runs at an average of 43.79 and a strike rate of 105.64. His record includes seven centuries and 17 fifties, with a personal best of 154*.

Head’s Performances at Sydney

Travis Head has shown himself to be a competent performer at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where he has played three ODIs. In those matches, he has scored a total of 122 runs at an average of 40.66 and a strike rate of 98.38, including two half-centuries with a top score of 52. His overall performance at this iconic venue spans nine international appearances, where he has accumulated 296 runs at an average of 32.88, featuring three fifties in ten innings and a best score of 70.

This year, Head’s form in ODIs has not met expectations, with 333 runs from nine innings at an average of 41.62. His best performance included a century and a fifty, with his highest score being 142.

Squads for the Final ODI

The squads for the final ODI are as follows:

India Squad: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Australia Squad: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Travis Head, Matthew Short, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, Xavier Bartlett, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Jack Edwards, Nathan Ellis, Ben Dwarshuis.

With the series already decided, both teams will look to make a statement in this final encounter. For Head, reaching the milestone of 3,000 ODI runs would not only enhance his personal achievements but also solidify his position in the Australian lineup as the team prepares for future challenges.