In-form batsman Travis Head is hoping to emulate his summer form next month when Australia travel to India for a challenging four-Test series.
Head, who has averaged 87.50 runs per innings from hive five Test appearances this summer, was again at his aggressive best on Day 2 of the SCG Test against South Africa, blasting 70 from 59 balls to further add to a scintillating run of form on home soil.
The South Australian, who claimed Player of the Series honours last summer against England, has been a consistent cog in Australia's middle order against both the West Indies and South Africa in recent months, tallying scores of 99, 175, 38*, 92, 0 and 51 before the Sydney Test.
The SCG wicket has given Head a chance to combat a pitch that has favoured spin, a dress rehearsal that will come in handy for when Australia head to India next month.
Head, who averages just 21.69 runs overseas, told cricket.com.au that his battle with Proteas spin pair Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj has helped build a "blueprint" for what's to come in the months ahead.
"There's definitely something there for them (spinners)," he said. "For me it was about trying to put them under pressure.
"There's going to be a lot spoken about (spin) with what's to come over the next couple of months.
"I felt like the one I nicked, he (Harmer) bowled a really nice ball. I just wanted to be proactive and try to get him off that length, and I felt I moved down the wicket really nicely.
"He's an exceptional bower – he's got (nearly) 840 first-class wickets – I've faced him in the past.
"It probably has been the biggest challenge of the summer so far with the wicket spinning, second innings maybe will be the same if I get an opportunity.
"But I feel like the way I played and how positive my feet were back and forth, it's a nice start, it's a nice blueprint."
Head is yet to represent Australia in India, with his first Test appearance to come in Nagpur on February 9 as Australia look to continue their undefeated Test run ahead of the World Test Championships Final.
The 29-year-old struggled against both Pakistan and Sri Lanka in prior Test appearances abroad, with Head relying on the South African spin attack and net sessions to get himself best prepared for another trip to the sub-continent.
Well aware of the challenge that awaits, Head and the rest of Australia's batting lineup will be looking to strengthen their defence against spin with every chance they can muster.
"It's hard to work on what you're going to come up against," he added.
"To know it's in a good space (is pleasing). I've felt like I've played Maharaj really well this summer. I know the wickets haven't spun much, but I've been really happy with the way I've moved to the ball and trying to score.
"That's all you can do. In the nets you just want to get in a good rhythm, you want to be making really good decisions.
"Over the next month there will be opportunities to do that (practice against spin) – we'll mimic those conditions as much as we can, we've got time over there to try and do that."
Australia currently sit atop the WTC standings prior to the SCG result, conjuring 10 wins from 14 matches to record 132 points and a percentage of 78.57.
