Travis Head responds to critics

Australia batter Travis Head hit back at criticism from Matthew Hayden and Allan Border.

“putting a bullet through the team”

Critics accuse selectors of mediocrity

Matthew Hayden accused Australia's selectors of promoting 'the greatest pile of mediocrity' in a generation.

“promoting the greatest pile of mediocrity that we've seen in a generation of cricket”

Nic Maddinson recalled for South Africa Test

Nic Maddinson, out of Test cricket for nearly 10 years, joined the squad after Josh Inglis fractured his finger and Cameron Green suffered a stomach injury.

Head defends team's strength

Head said the current team is strong enough to handle criticism from past players.

“This group is strong enough to deal with those sorts of things”

Allan Border's opening advice

Allan Border suggested Travis Head would face his toughest test as an opener against South Africa's bowling attack.

“I have laughed at a fair bit of it because if a traditional opening batter had pushed out the same sort of numbers in his first 20 innings”

Head's response to criticism

Head said past players' criticism is unfair but they are paid to do their job.

“But that’s what they’re paid to do. Some of them need a job, so they go after us, and that’s totally fine”