The 22-year old described the Big Bash tournament and ensuing T20I series as a fantastic opportunity to learn from more internationally experienced players, with the past seven weeks serving as a pseudo-captaincy masterclass for the star left-hander.
“It’s been really enjoyable. I’ve learned a fair bit over the last couple of weeks, in terms of what it takes and how the boys at the top go about things,” he said.
“I think the past seven weeks has been fantastic [for my captaincy]. I’ve played under Hodgey, Mahela, Finchy for a little bit and Shane Watson as well… I can take plenty of confidence out of the fact that a lot of our ideas are similar.
“For me the on-ground stuff comes pretty naturally, but around the group they were fantastic. The way they operate, during lead-ups and post-match, and the way they talk to the group is something I can get better at."
[BREAKING] Another Redback called up for national duties. Congrats @zamps63! Full story: https://t.co/5TRRcEGwfv pic.twitter.com/jVUDqZPmn2
%E2%80%94 West End Redbacks (@WestEndRedbacks) January 24, 2016
Despite losing a number of first-choice players to international duties over the Shield break, Head said the absences would only serve as a healthy challenge for the squad.
“I think we cover [our losses] pretty well. We’ve got Raphael who’s coming off some runs and going really well at the moment. Cam Valente has bowled brilliantly in the Futures, as has Tommy Andrews," he said.
“We’ll see depending on the wicket which of [Valente or Andrews] will play tomorrow, but no doubt we’ll have one debutant tomorrow, and maybe two.”
The young Redbacks captain also vowed his squad wouldn’t become daunted by the heightened expectations accompanying second place on the ladder, with the focus instead falling on continuing their aggressive style of play and getting experience into young players.
“We’re sitting second at the minute, and we’re playing beautiful cricket,” he said.
“I want to continue to play that same positive and aggressive way, and if that leads to wins and us getting to the final then that’s fantastic.
“We’re still very inexperienced, we’ve got a lot of young players through the middle of the order, and it’s a continual learning process for us.
“If we’re winning games on the back of that it’s fantastic, but we know in the future we can be a lot better.”