Head determined to retain ODI berth

Travis Head contributed a half-century for the second time in his 12 ODI innings, as the hosts won by 68 runs at the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday.

Travis Head does not believe his presence is guaranteed ahead of the second match against the Black Caps in Canberra on Tuesday.

Travis Head is not taking his place in Australia's one-day international team for granted despite making 52 in the series-opening victory over New Zealand on Sunday.

The South Australian batsman contributed a half-century for the second time in his 12 ODI innings, as the hosts won by 68 runs at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The 22-year-old has been a regular feature in the limited-overs side since making his debut against West Indies in June.

Nevertheless, Head does not believe his presence is guaranteed ahead of the second match against the Black Caps in Canberra on Tuesday. "I don't think I've cemented it," he told the reporters, having been picked ahead of Glenn Maxwell.

"It's nice to stay in the side and that's what you want to do. It's hard to stay in the Australian cricket side. You've got to always be making runs and always performing. I'm happy with my performance yesterday but it can always be better. If I can keep performing I'll stay in the side and that's what I'll try to do.

"Pressure's always on. In any Australian cricket side you've probably got five guys who are banging down the door that aren't in the side. The competition for spots is always on."

An SCG-record innings of 164 from captain Steve Smith led Australia to 324-8, assisted by Head and Matthew Wade's quick-fire 38. Looking ahead to the second match at Manuka Oval, Head is expecting conditions to favour the batsmen, potentially affording him another opportunity to impress. 

"There has been some high scores," he said.

"[It's a] pretty good batting wicket. [It would] be nice to get in there again and get some more runs. [It will] probably be a bat-off again. We'll try and get as many runs as possible and get 10 wickets again. It's great to be in winning form.

"I've felt comfortable in my 13 games. It's just a matter of getting a score …I want to win games for Australia, I want to be there at the end. Unfortunately I wasn't able to do that yesterday. But I was able to contribute to a win, which was kind of satisfying. Tomorrow, I hope, is a big score or a not out, not [just] another start.

"In the circumstances of the game, just being there with Steve, being at the other end - he did most of the work for most of the partnership. But it was a match-winning partnership I guess."