Travis Head: Born for the Big Stage
Ryan Pierse – ECB
Fresh from terrorising the Poms with a century in the first Ashes Test in Perth, South Australian cricketer Travis Head opens up about his match-winning innings, the positive impact his wife Jess and their two children have on his life and his new partnership with Bleasdale Vineyards.
Travis Head has fast become Australian cricket’s get-out-of-jail card. The attacking left-hander with the big moustache has a habit of rising to the occasion when things look bleak. Take his extraordinary knock of 137 in the 2023 World Cup Final against India when the team was on the ropes, or his majestic 163 in the first innings of the World Test Championship Final that same year that laid the platform for Australia’s victory.
Then there are his most recent heroics against England in the first Ashes test in Perth. After a day and a half of chaotic cricket that saw 30 wickets fall and the old enemy obtain a lead of 205, Head put his hand up to open after back spasms forced Usman Khawaja down the order. It was an inspired move, and one Travis has been cheerleading for several years.
“We’d had a lot of conversations over the years about what that role might look like and the opportunities around it,” Travis revealed. “I always felt like I could play a part there, so it actually became an easy decision. I’ve opened a lot in my career, so nothing really felt different.”
Walking to the crease with the weight of the Australian cricket public on his back, Travis wheeled off an astonishing 123 runs off just 83 balls, scoring his 100 from 69 balls, the second fastest century by an Australian in Ashes history. He blunted England’s much-vaunted pace attack with sublime cricket shots, mixing aggressive stroke play with precision timing. In short, he Bazzballed the Bazzballers.
“Opening with someone gives you that little partnership right from the start,” Travis remarked about facing the new ball with his good mate Jake Weatherald. The two have been mates for years, having played Shield cricket together for South Australia. Their familiarity with each other helped the pair put on a 75-run opening stand that broke English spirits. “It feels like you’ve got that support straight away. Down the order, it can feel a bit more like it’s you against them, but opening is something I really enjoy.”
Travis has made a name for himself in the pressure cooker environment of Test cricket, thriving on challenging situations, particularly in big games. But does he feel pressure walking out to the crease when the Test is on the line?
“Everyone feels pressure in big games. If you start thinking about results too much, it gets harder,” he says. “In those moments, I feel like I can go under the radar and just play with freedom. If you’re in big games or finals, you’ve earned the right to be there, so you may as well enjoy it and express yourself.”
Much of his success over the past couple of years can be attributed to two things: his hard work and commitment on the field and the love and support of his family off it. It’s no surprise his best year as a cricketer came in 2023, the same year he married his partner Jessica Davies, head of emerging PR firm Helix PR. Along with his two daughters, Travis’ family keep him grounded and allow him to relax and forget about the rigours of his profession. And there is nothing he enjoys more than family time.
“Spending time with Jess and the kids is really important to me, so my days are pretty much filled with them,” he says when speaking about his time off the field. “No matter what happens in the game, once you walk through the door or jump on the phone with them, you’re instantly brought back to what’s important.”
Having achieved the perfect balance of career and family, Travis is also making moves for his future beyond cricket, launching his own wine label with Bleasdale Vineyards. Celebrating South Australia’s sporting champions and world-class wines, Travis and the gurus at Bleasdale Vineyards have crafted six unique wines designed to be enjoyed with family and friends. What does it mean to collaborate with an SA brand like Bleasdale and highlight local producers on the world stage?
“South Australia means a lot to me. Cricket has given me the chance to work with local brands and hopefully help showcase them to a wider audience. There are so many hidden gems here, and I’m really pleased to be working with great people,” Travis says.
Each drop in the collection is named after an important cricket memory or moment from Travis’ career, such as the Barrell 454 – Single Vineyard Shiraz, which references Travis being the 454th capped player for Australia.
As he prepares for the third Test in his hometown of Adelaide, Travis gets reflective. “It’s my favourite week of the year,” he says. “The Adelaide Test is like nothing else – the atmosphere, the anticipation, being at home. There are no guarantees in this game, but it’s hard not to look forward to that week and what it could be.”
When asked how he expects the match to play out, Travis wants what all Australian cricket fans crave: “In an ideal world?” he says, “I’ll just take a win.”
Check out Travis Head’s six wine collaboartion with Bleasdale Vineyards here.
