By Victoria Hamilton 
Australian cricket star Travis Head has etched his name in history by becoming the first South Australian to claim the Allan Border Medal at the prestigious Australian Cricket Awards. His remarkable performances across formats saw him dominate the voting, amassing 208 votes, finishing well ahead of Josh Hazlewood (158 votes) and Pat Cummins (141 votes).
A Season to Remember for Travis Head
Head’s consistent brilliance throughout the 2023-24 season was instrumental in securing this honor. The left-handed dynamo also clinched the Men’s ODI Player of the Year award, capping off a phenomenal year.
His performances across all formats were outstanding:
Test Matches (2024)
Runs: 608
Average: 40.53
Centuries: 3
Highlight: A stunning run-a-ball ton against India at Adelaide Oval
One Day Internationals (ODIs)
Matches: 5
Runs: 252
Average: 63
T20 Internationals (T20Is)
Matches: 15
Runs: 539
Average: 38.50
Strike Rate: 178.47
Despite winning two major awards, Head narrowly missed out on a historic clean sweep. He finished just one vote behind Hazlewood for the Shane Warne Test Player of the Year and three votes short of Adam Zampa for the T20I Player of the Year.
Complete List of Award Winners
Allan Border Medal: Travis Head
Belinda Clark Award: Annabel Sutherland
Shane Warne Test Player of the Year: Josh Hazlewood
Men’s ODI Player of the Year: Travis Head
Women’s ODI Player of the Year: Ash Gardner
Men’s T20I Player of the Year: Adam Zampa
Women’s T20I Player of the Year: Beth Mooney
WBBL|10 Player of the Tournament: Jess Jonassen & Ellyse Perry
BBL|14 Player of the Tournament: Cooper Connolly & Glenn Maxwell
Bradman Young Cricketer: Sam Konstas
Betty Wilson Young Cricketer: Chloe Ainsworth
Women’s Domestic Player of the Year: Georgia Voll
Men’s Domestic Player of the Year: Beau Webster
A Career-Defining Moment for Head
Travis Head’s journey to Allan Border Medalist has been nothing short of remarkable. His aggressive yet calculated approach to batting has made him one of Australia’s most valuable players across formats.
“Winning this award is a massive honor. I’ve always taken pride in playing for my country, and to be recognized for my performances this season is incredibly humbling,” Head said after receiving the award.
With his stellar performances in 2024, Head has firmly established himself as one of Australia’s modern-day greats. His ability to deliver in high-pressure situations, whether in Tests, ODIs, or T20Is, has made him an indispensable asset for the national team.
Zainab Shafiq