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Australia star batter Travis Head has exuded confidence ahead of the start of the three-match Test series against the West Indies in the Caribbean islands. The Aussie side will play a three-match series from June 25 to July 17 across Barbados, Grenada, and Jamaica. The 2023 World Test Champions (WTC) will play a red-ball series against the Windies side for the first time after 2015. They will endeavour to beat the home side convincingly and begin their campaign 2025-27 WTC cycle convincingly. From Australia’s 2015 squad, only three players are present in the current one. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Steve Smith are the names who recorded their presence in the 2015 Tests series as well.
Ahead of the series, Head has shown belief in his side. He said his team is geared up for challenges related to wickets. "I think we're prepared for anything, really, and prepared for maybe both (seam and spin) in the same game. We could be starting the game and then it could shift into different modes and plans of attack. So, as a batter, you're just sort of planning for anything at the moment. And then once you get a look at the lay of the land, come up with a plan, and try to cover all base," remarked Travis.
Travis Head hopeful of Marnus Labuschagne’s comeback
Travis Head is hopeful of Marnus Labuschagne’s comeback in the Test team. Labuschagne has been dropped from the squad for not being upto the mark in red-ball cricket for more than a year. In the WTC 2025 final played against South Africa at the iconic Lord’s, the right-handed batter could score only 17 and 22 for Australia.
In his place, Josh Inglis has got the opportunity to cement his place in the squad. Talking about Marnus, Head said, "He grinded yesterday after training. He will hit balls and work on his game. There is no doubt he will be back in international cricket. Everyone has been through it. He will go about his thing. He will get better, and let's hope for a better, stronger Marnus when he comes back."
Australia Test squad vs West Indies: Pat Cummins (c), Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Josh Inglis, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Beau Webster, Mitchell Starc, Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Matt Kuhnemann.
