TRAVIS Head is aiming for a consistent season of run-making as Worcestershire’s 2018 overseas player in county cricket this summer.

The Adelaide Strikers and South Australia captain will arrive at New Road in time for the start of the county season next month and is available for most of the 2018 campaign. 

Head, who has 34 one-day international and 10 Twenty20 caps for Australia, is determined to use his first full season of county cricket as a launchpad to earning Test honours ahead of Australia’s Ashes tour of England in 2019.

“I’m a young player who is still learning his craft but more importantly I’m going to Worcestershire to help the team to win more matches this season,” Head, 24, said.

“I’ve had a good season for Australia, South Australia and The Strikers this summer but I want to improve in all three formats and play Test cricket for Australia.

“I know Ben Cox and Ross Whiteley from their previous stints at Darren Lehmann’s academy in Adelaide so when I walk into the Worcestershire dressing room I won’t be a complete stranger.

“I want to make a consistent impact in white-ball cricket and in the Specsavers County Championship.”

Head has been one of the busiest cricketers on the Australian scene this winter. 

Last month, he captained Strikers to Big Bash glory and was the Twenty20 competition’s fourth highest run-scorer.

Despite only playing in one Twenty20 international in the recent tri-series competition involving England and New Zealand, Head cracked an impressive 96 in Australia’s consolation ODI win over England on his home ground at the Adelaide Oval in January.

Overall, the stylish left-hander averages 36.68 in ODI matches and 26.25 in Twenty20 internationals.

He also bowls handy part-time off-spin and has 31 first-class wickets to his name. 

In addition, Head has been in consistent form for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield, Australia’s equivalent of the County Championship, averaging 42.58 with the bat from six matches before scoring 145 against Tasmania recently.

South Australia’s youngster-ever skipper also scored 68 in two JLT one-day matches for his state at the beginning of Australia’s domestic season in October.

“I was disappointed to be dropped from Australia’s ODI squad in January and I wasn’t picked for four of the five Twenty20 internationals but overall my white-ball game is in good order,” Head said.

“Now I want to be consistent for South Australia in our remaining Sheffield Shield matches and to continue from where I leave off for Worcestershire in the County Championship.”

The former Yorkshire overseas player believes his best is yet to come starting at Worcestershire this season.

Head added: “I am my own harshest critic but I am also a very positive, glass half-full person so I want to help Worcestershire play an exciting brand of cricket this season. The club has given me a fantastic opportunity and I want to grab it with both hands.”