COUNTY NEWS
This is the second time Head’s stint with Sussex has been pushed back. © Getty
Australian batsman Travis Head has mutually agreed with County side Sussex to defer his contract until 2021. Head was signed on by the Hove-based franchise in September 2019. He will, however, reprise the terms of the original contracts and turn out for the team in all competitions of the 2021 seasons.
The deferral of Head’s contract is down to the prevailing Coronavirus pandemic, one that has already pushed the start of the English’s domestic season back to August 1. With county sides already furloughing their players and staff owing to the debilitating economic consequences of COVID-19, Head joins a series of overseas cricketers to miss out on playing this season.
Unlike other cricketers who have had their contracts outrightly cancelled, Head will be available to join compatriot and his coach from Adelaide Strikers, Jason Gillespie, at Hove next season. “We are delighted to announce that Travis has committed to us for next year,” head coach Jason Gillespie said.
“It is clear that this season is going to be difficult and we are keen to develop a longer-term relationship between Travis and the club, so this suits both parties. We look forward to seeing Travis at Hove next season.”
Incidentally, this is the second time the South Australian’s stint with Sussex has been pushed back. He was tipped to play a part in the 2019 season before he was selected in Australia’s Ashes squad.
Commenting on the development, Head added: “Whilst it is very disappointing, it is clear that there are many difficulties surrounding the 2020 English domestic cricket season and we all agree this is in the best interests of all concerned. I very much hope some domestic cricket is played in England this summer and I look forward to playing my part in 2021.”
Head, who has played 17 Test including the latest one at Sydney at the turn of the year, has averages close to 40 in a 105-game first-class career. Crucially, however, he led South Australia to Sheffield Shield finals in both 2015-16 and 2016-17 – the state’s first since 1995-96 – and has captained the Adelaide Strikers to their maiden Big Bash League title in 2017-18.
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