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Travis Head has opened up about the secret 'catfight' he engaged in with England star Ben Duckett as the pair get ready to collide once more in the looming first Ashes Test in Perth.
The pair clashed during the 2023 Ashes as they sledged each other by repeatedly saying 'miaow' – and now the Australian batter has explained the meaning behind the strange insult.
Head and Duckett are two of the most aggressive run-scorers in world cricket, known for swashbuckling styles that see them play at the ball more often than their counterparts.
That habit of rarely leaving the ball to fly through to the keeper was at the centre of their bizarre clash during the series, which finished two Tests all as Australia retained the famous urn.
'He started it because our leave percentages were both very low,' Head said.
'I don't think he'd left the ball at that stage.
Travis Head (pictured with wife Jess and their children Harrison and Milla) got into a good-natured but bizarre series of sledges with his English rival Ben Duckett in 2023
Like Head, Duckett (pictured with wife Paige) is known for his aggressive approach with the bat - and light-hearted attitude to the game
'So he hadn't left the ball, and mine [his leave rate] was at like, five per cent or something silly.
'We joked about it and he left the ball, I came running in from the boundary, perfect opportunity.
'I get along with 'Ducky' really well, and I played [under] 19s all the way through with him and everything, good fella.
'And yeah, I miaowed at him about being a cat leaving the ball. He pricked his ears up and had a giggle.
'And he'd do the same, vice-versa.'
Head added that he and Duckett lapped up the good-natured clashes because neither of them are big fans of being stuck out in the field.
'We enjoyed it, both play a similar style, both see the game in a similar way, and both just like to have fun,' he told News Corp.
While Head's position in the XI to play England at Perth's Optus Stadium on November 21 is secure, mystery surrounds two other crucial spots in the home side.
Head (pictured after being dismissed in the 2023 Ashes series) will look to continue his swashbuckling ways at the crease when the first Test begins in Perth
Duckett (pictured in training in Perth last week) and Head have been mates since they both played under-19s cricket together
Usman Khawaja will open the batting, but his partner at the crease isn't set in stone.
Tasmania's Jake Weatherald has been named in the 15-man squad for the first Test of the series, but Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green are also in contention for the coveted spot.
The youngster many thought would have solidified himself in the role by now, Sam Konstas, didn't make the squad after suffering a run of poor form since his enthralling debut against India in last year's Boxing Day Test.
Australia's bowling line-up is also far from settled after Josh Hazlewood joined Pat Cummins on the sidelines through injury.
The paceman was officially ruled out of the Test on Saturday.
Backup seamer Sean Abbott is also unavailable after hurting his hamstring in the same Sheffield Shield match that ruined Hazlewood's chances, leaving Brendan Doggett in line for a surprise debut.
It will mark the first time in nearly three years that Australia have played a Test without two of their 'Big Three' quicks - the other being Mitchell Starc - and only the second time since 2014 they've played a home Test without Cummins and Hazlewood.
They won both of those matches though with Michael Neser, added to the squad on Saturday as cover for Hazlewood, playing in both Tests.
Sitting on 295 Test scalps, Hazlewood missed three of the five Tests against India last summer, firstly because of a side strain and then a calf injury.
'Initial scans Wednesday were clear of muscle strain, however follow-up imaging today has confirmed the injury,' a CA statement on Saturday said.
'Early imaging can occasionally underestimate low-grade muscle injuries.'
