# Travis Head defends Australia's team against critics

> Travis Head says Australia's current team can handle past players' criticism.
- Title: Travis Head defends Australia's team against critics
- Summary: Travis Head says Australia's current team can handle past players' criticism. Travis Head defends Australia's selectors after Matthew Hayden and Allan Border…
- Keywords: travis head, australia, matthew hayden, allan border, nic maddinson, south africa, test cricket, durban, sports, Travis, Head, defends
- Source: Sportstar — https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/travis-head-australia-critics-matthew-hayden-south-africa-test/article71557037.ece
- Author: Reuters
- Published: 2026-10-07T16:54:36+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: travis head, australia, matthew hayden, allan border, nic maddinson, south africa, test cricket, durban, sports
## 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
## Key takeaway

Travis Head defends Australia's selectors after Matthew Hayden and Allan Border criticized the team's selection of Nic Maddinson.