“Serious talent”: Travis Head heaps praise on Oliver Peake

Last Updated on 31 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey

Travis Head has praised Oliver Peake, labelling the 20-year-old as a “serious talent”. Peake has made an impression so far in his ODI career, making starts in Pakistan and Bangladesh before producing important contributions in the first two matches in Zimbabwe.

After scoring a 40-ball 30 in the opening ODI, Peake hit an unbeaten 18-ball 41 in the second to propel Australia to 356/6. Head, who set the tone with 112 off 84 balls, was impressed with how the youngster went about his work.

“Peaky played really well. It’s the first time really I’ve seen him bat live,” Head said after the match.

“I haven’t played any cricket with him or been on tour with him in the last little period when he’s been with Australia. So yeah, I guess serious talent.”

Impressed with how Oliver Peake goes about his work in training: Travis Head

Head spoke about Peake’s knocks so far this series. The 20-year-old walked in at a tricky phase in the first ODI with Australia 179/5 with 18.3 overs remaining. He combined with centurion Matt Renshaw for a 75-run stand that took Australia into the death overs with five wickets still in hand.

While his strike rotation could have been better, his 30 off 40 balls put Australia within sight of a score near 300. Head acknowledged that batting down the order can be tricky, especially with only one ball used from the 34th over.

“I’m just watching him go about his work at training and now navigating through periods like he has in the last two games,” Head said.

“I thought he played really well the other day, and then they’re always hard times to come in. The ball was soft. I guess challenging at the death. Now with the change of ball now, just 34 [34th over], it’s a lot softer. It’s not as easy as it probably was.”

Peake went up a notch in the second ODI. The left-hander hit two fours and three sixes in his 18-ball stay, where he finished with a strike rate of 227.77. It is the kind of knock that could give him plenty of confidence.

Australia’s total of 356/6 was far too much for Zimbabwe, who ended up 84 runs short.