Head embraces opening role ahead of Bangladesh Tests after Ashes success

Travis Head is open to continuing as an opening batter for Australia after making a successful move to the top of the order during the Ashes.

Head had been a middle-order regular in Test cricket until Usman Khawaja’s injury in the first Ashes Test in Perth forced a change. Head had experience opening in white-ball cricket and had also done the job in Tests against India and Sri Lanka, scoring 321 runs at an average of 45.85.

He made an immediate impact in Perth, scoring 123 off 83 balls on a difficult surface. He added two more centuries during the series and finished with 629 runs, the most by any batter.

Still, Head does not regard himself as a traditional Test opener.

“I might have opened in 10, 12 of them,” Head told ESPNcricinfo. “I think it would suggest that I'm not an opening batter, a true opening batter, in terms of what Australian cricket is known for.”

The Australian batter said his game was suited to the role but acknowledged that opening brought different demands, particularly against the new ball.

“I know that I've still got to work continuously hard at the new ball. I know I'm going to make mistakes. I'm very comfortable with where my game is at,” he added.

Khawaja’s retirement has left Australia with an opening spot to fill, and Head’s Ashes performance has made him a strong candidate.

He is also Australia’s leading run-scorer in the current World Test Championship cycle, with 853 runs at an average of 53.31. But Head said his focus is less on his own numbers than on helping Australia win.

“I'd love to score hundreds, I'd love to be in the runs column all the time, but at the end of the day I'd just love to contribute to winning Test matches,” he said.

Australia, who lead the WTC standings, will begin a two-Test series against Bangladesh in Darwin on August 13. Their schedule also includes tours of South Africa and India, a home series against New Zealand and next year’s Ashes in England.