All the attention Smudge draws helps me: Travis Head

On Day 1 of the final, Australia had a rough start to the game as they lost the toss and were asked to bat first. The first session saw their top 3 walk back to the pavilion with only 76 on the board.

Travis Head then led the counter-attack as he stitched a mammoth 285-run-partnership with Steven Smith. The South Australian's innings lasted 283 minutes, and he hit 26 boundaries in the process. The pace at which this knock is what hurt the Indians even more, as he scored at nearly 6 RPO to practically blow India out of the game.

"Lot of hard work over the two years. It's been nice. That's been the approach for two years (positive approach with the bat). Said through the week that I want to be able to be proactive. I was tested throughout the innings. It was nice to be out there for a period of time with Smudge."

Head was quick to recognize Smith's importance in his innings. While the former went after the bowlers form the get-go, the latter blunted the ball out to play 268 deliveries in his innings. The way they complimented each other helped them keep the Indian bowlers guessing.

"Amazing week. Amazing Test from him and what we've come to expect (from him) here in England. Hope it's a big couple of months from him. And I've always said that it feels like all the plans go to him, all the attention he draws, and I can just go about my work. I've always had the confidence."

Since making his debut in 2018, he has been regular feature in the Test squads, but the way he has changed his game post 2021 helped him cement his spot in the XI.

In his first 19 Tests, Head scored 1153 runs at an average of 39.7 and a strike rate of 49.6. In his next 18 Tests, including the WTC final, he has scored 1389 runs at 55.6 and 81.8. This marked change his approach is also an understated reason behind Australia's first WTC title.

"It's about going out there and expressing that. It took me some time and everyone goes through that. I've always been open to change, open to learning. I've bedded down somewhat of a blueprint. It's not always going to work. It's nice to work that out in such a big game and hopefully continues in the next couple of months." 

"Lot of what-ifs going to bed last night. We've come across such moments through the two years where we've had to grind it out. Were able to do that again today."