Australian international Travis Head has signed up with Sussex for the 2020 season. He will be available to play in all the three formats as confirmed by the county on Wednesday (September 25).
The 25-year-old batsman was actually supposed to play for Sussex in the 2019 season but had to pull out of the deal after his Ashes call-up. Sussex went on to recruit wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey instead.
It has been learnt that former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie has played a pivotal role in getting Head at Sussex. He has already seen Head at close quarters while coaching the Big Bash League franchise- Adelaide Strikers.
“I’ve known Trav for a number of years. We have a really good relationship and after we decided here at Sussex that an overseas batsman would complement our squad next year I just knew that Travis would be ideal,” Gillespie said.
“We wanted a top four batsman to improve our team and Travis will do that,” he added
He’s shown his class in his international career so far, he brings some useful off-spin and he will offer good leadership support to our captains from his time leading South Australia and the Strikers.”
Head led South Australia to two Sheffield Shield finals in 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons. He even led the Strikers to their maiden BBL title in 2017-18. He established himself as a middle-order batsman in Australia’s Test squad in the last home summer and played the first four Tests of the Ashes as well. However, he could aggregate only 191 runs and was left out for the final Test at The Oval.
“I was disappointed not to have been able to take up my contract this summer so was thrilled that Jason [Gillespie] and Keith [Greenfield, Sussex Cricket’s director of cricket] were keen to lock me away for the 2020 season. I can’t wait,” Head said. “With such a proud history, success is expected, and I want to play my part in achieving that.”