Aussies have proven they bounce back quickly: Head

Coach Andrew McDonald and Australia's batters have plenty to work on ahead of the second Test. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

Travis Head says it's folly to write off Australia's Test team after their horror series-opening loss to India.

Head believes the Australian trait of fighting best with backs to the proverbial wall will be on display in the second Test starting in Adelaide on Friday.

Travis Head will not be making any special arrangements to face India's in-form Jasprit Bumrah.

"This team has dealt with adversity well," Head told reporters on Monday.

"The small amount that we have had in the last three or four years, we have played well.

"We've had some challenging times and a couple of challenging Tests last year that we're able to get ourselves out of ... it's a group that is well balanced and knows where it's at.

"We didn't have a very good week. That's fine.

"But we have got four more opportunities to do it, we will crack on as we do, as we have done for the last few years.

Travis Head
Travis Head was among the Australian batters undone by Jasprit Bumrah in Perth.

"As a team we've been good for a period of time - we had a bad week.

"Over the last couple of years, there's a lot of teams that lost the first Test or gone down in the series and brought it back and played really well."

An extended Australian squad assembled in Adelaide on Monday for the day-night fixture against India, who won the first Test in Perth by a whopping 295 runs.

Doubt surrounds the fitness of allrounder Mitch Marsh, who pulled up sore after the Perth Test, with selectors summoning Beau Webster into the Adelaide squad.

Pacemen Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett have also joined the squad but Scott Boland is favoured to replace Josh Hazlewood, who is sidelined by a side strain.

Australia will be looking to bounce back after a comprehensive loss in the first Test against India.

"It can be put to bed," Head said of suggestions of a divide in the Australian ranks.

"We hold high expectations for both sides (batting and bowling) and it's a very individualised sport.

"So batters, we want to hold our own - we know how good our bowlers have been for us in the past and they've got us out of trouble a lot.

"As a batting group, we know that if we get enough runs on the board, we put ourselves in a great position.

"As a batter myself, I try to take a whole lot of pride in what I do, and knowing that if I can set it up for the big boys, that they can knock it down for us, so definitely no divide."

Head also backed Marnus Labuschagne to rally amid critics querying his place in the team after an extended run of low scores.

"Knowing Marnus, he would have worked on a few things over the last few days and it would have been hard to probably keep him out of the nets," he said.

"No doubt over the next few days we'll see him working hard again.

"He's a guy that has played well over a long period of time. He would like some more runs - so would everyone.

"And he's got an opportunity over the next few days to continue to do what he does ... I just hope he goes in fresh and eager to play well."

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store