Australia vice-captain Travis Head has called on his teammates to quickly put their just fourth ever ICC final defeat against South Africa in the World Test Championship (WTC 2025) Final loss at Lord's behind them. Australia will begin their fourth WTC 2025-27 cycle with a series against West Indies in Barbados. The Pat Cummins-led side were handed a heavy five-wicket loss at the hands of a relatively inexperienced Temba Bavuma-led South Africa in the ultimate Test earlier this month.
However, Australia has a chance to start a new WTC cycle on a bang against the inconsistent West Indies and aim for maximum points. Head has urged his teammates not to dwell on the WTC Final loss and take on the Windies' side with the same ruthless intent.
"There's added motivation to go out there and play well," Head said of the first Test in Barbados, as quoted from the official website of the ICC.
"We didn't play well (against South Africa), and it's unfortunate," he added.
"We put two years of hard work into one week and didn't quite go to plan, and the opposition played really well, so there's another motivation," he noted.
Also Read:Â IND vs ENG: Is Rishabh Pant set to face ICC ban after heated argument over ball change?
"We've got two more years to build, and this is another first look at it so I think if you dwell on it for too long or if you look back, you forget about what's moving forward," Head said.
Travis Head optimistic about Marnus Labuschagne making a strong comeback
Head also backed Marnus Labuschagne to make a resurgent comeback into the Australian team after being snubbed for the Windies series owing to poor form. Labuschagne, who was once ranked the number one Test batter, has found the going tough in last year at the pivotal number three spot. In his absence, Josh Inglis has been handed an opportunity to seal the opening slot. Head believes Inglis has it in him to excel in Tests and bat for long periods at the top.
Also Read: Hazlewood and Lyon respond to fiery Mitchell Johnson's comments calling for change
"It feels like he's played a lot more than he has for Australia as he has been in the squad for a long time, and he has been around the group for a long time," Head noted.
"Once he gets his extended stay on the team, I think he will excel," he added.
"He's been waiting for a good amount of time to get a crack, and it's exciting for Josh," Head said.
Also Read:Â IND vs ENG: Don't want to create a scene - Jasprit Bumrah on India's pathetic fielding efforts on day 3
Apart from Inglis, Australia have also included Sam Konstas in place of injured Steven Smith, who will miss the first Test match.
