Australia stand-in captain Steve Smith confirmed Travis Head as the new opening partner of Usman Khawaja for the first Test against Sri Lanka starting on Wednesday.
Due to Head’s ability to play spin very well and his previous successful tour of India in 2023, he could be vital against the spin-heavy Sri Lankan team in the upcoming two-match Test series.
“He (Head) did really nicely in India against the new ball. He put spinners under pressure immediately and we know how well he hits the seam as well if they come with that,” said Smith on the eve of the first Test against Sri Lanka.
“It’s going to be good fun watching him.”
With Travis Head moving up the order, Sam Konstas and Nathan McSweeney, who featured in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy as openers, will likely be the candidates to fill the No.05 spot for Australia.
However, Smith did not confirm, who would be taking up the role, while acknowledging that even if Konstas does not get a game, he would still benefit from this tour.
“He [Konstas] is going to have a lot of practice if he doesn’t play, which in itself is great for development,” Smith said.
“So whether he plays or not, I think it’s going to be a wonderful experience for him. He’s going to learn a lot.”
Smith also confirmed that the World Test Championship (WTC) finalists Australia will finalise their Playing XI before the toss after assessing the conditions in Galle.
It’s worth noting that Australia will be aiming for their first Test series win in Sri Lanka since 2011 when Michael Clarke led them to a 1-0 victory.
Steve Smith (c), Travis Head, Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
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