Australia’s World Cup hero Travis Head is set to cash in on his heroics with a massive payday in the Indian Premier League.
Head wrote himself into folklore by smashing a classic 137 in Sunday’s final to propel Australia to their sixth ODI World Cup crown.
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That followed a man-of-the-match against South Africa in the semi-final when he took two key wickets and top-scored with 62 during a tricky run chase.
The performances showed why he’s set to become a million-dollar man in the lucrative IPL.
Head hasn’t played in the IPL for six years, but that’s about to change with the auction less than a month away.
Ricky Ponting, who coaches the Delhi Capitals, has revealed he will come knocking for Head for a second time after trying last year only to be roadblocked by Head’s wedding.
“Travis has done everything right to make sure he gets a deal this year,” Ponting told 7NEWS.
“He would have had a deal last year if it wasn’t for his wedding. His wedding got in the middle of it.
“Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to pick him up at Delhi.
“I rang him and told him I was going for him in the auction, and he said, ‘just to let you know, I’m getting married two weeks into the IPL.’
“He would have missed three weeks at start of tournament, which our owners weren’t willing to take that gamble on.”
Australian captain Pat Cummins and star bowler Mitchell Starc are also without a team.
Cummins pulled out of his million-dollar IPL contract with Kolkata Knight Riders due to Australia’s hectic 2023 schedule, but has indicated he wants in next year.
“They go to NZ after the summer, then IPL, then T20 World Cup after that … there’ll be a few questions asked of the high performances guys at Cricket Australia as to what the expectations might and might not be for fast bowlers in the IPL auction,” Ponting said.
Ponting also sounded a warning to Cricket Australia about how they manage the looming retirements in the Test team.
“Cricket Australia need to be careful how they manage some of these guys over next couple of years,” he said.
“Some of the teams I was in, we had five or six guys retire at once, they won’t want that to happen with this current team.
“Davey’s (Warner) made it clear that he wants to finish this summer, (Usman) Khawaja not far behind, and the quicks can’t play forever, along with Nathan (Lyon).
“I’m sure they’ll find a way to stagger it out a bit and make sure they’ve got enough experience in that team for when the younger guys come in.
Ponting is back in the Channel 7 commentary booth for the summer of cricket.
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