Travis Head Suggests Australia May Alter Batting Order for Tests in Sri Lanka

New Delhi, Jan 27 (NationPress) Australia vice-captain Travis Head has suggested that the team is contemplating a shift in its batting lineup for the upcoming two Tests against Sri Lanka, commencing on January 29 in Galle.

"I don't know where I'm going to bat at this stage. We'll see how that wicket plays out over the next couple of days. It's been a topic of conversation for the last little bit in this team on whether the Australian first innings, second innings, why doesn't the order change?"

“Why can't we be flexible? What moves? How can we be brave? That hasn't played out as such yet. Is this the tour to do it? We'll wait and see. I feel like this group's experienced enough and got some really good players that can play in different roles and in different situations of the game, we may draw on different people," Head told reporters on Monday.

There has been discussion about who should partner Usman Khawaja at the top – either Head, who filled that role during the Tests in India in 2023, or promising newcomer Sam Konstas, who has had a strong beginning to his Test career.

"All you're trying to do is line it up to be flexible around what can win a Test match. If that lends itself to being more traditional on Day One and what's not to say when it does turn and gets extreme, the order may change. A lot's being drawn to me at the moment and where I may bat but that may be different to everyone.

"I think people (within the team) are open to it. The game's evolving. I don't think anyone would've seen Sam Konstas lapping in the first session of a Test match. The game is evolving so why not continue to see where we can make jumps and leaps and where can we get an advantage?

“If that's using people in different positions, it's not traditionally done a hell of a lot, we haven't done it yet but does this tour lend itself to that? I think this team's experienced enough and in a great position where players will be open to that if needed to be. We'll wait and see," added Head.

During Australia's last visit to Sri Lanka in 2022, Head averaged just 7.66 across three innings and was omitted from the opening Test against India at Nagpur. However, he managed to average 47 across the next three Tests in India, including a match-winning performance in Indore. Now returning to Sri Lanka, Head expressed that he has evolved as a batter compared to his past experiences in 2022.

"I'd say right now, with the position I'm in, not different (whether I walk out to bat at 3/32 and the spinners on top or at 0/0 with the spinners also starting their spells). But three years ago, it was completely different. I was in a different mind-space and a different part of my career, batting a slightly different way. I wasn't pleased with the way that tour went. Didn't play well at all. And then I got another opportunity in India and was able to do some more of a job.

"I did go through a bit of a transition here and in Pakistan last time. I tried to play a bit more traditionally, and that Indian series was one that could have gone one way or the other. I don't play well, and I probably never see a subcontinent tour again. Or I go out there and do what I've been doing the last couple of years and go out there a little bit more relaxed and not be worried about what the outcome might be. So I'll draw on that. I feel comfortable wherever I need to be to win the Test. I ain't bothered where I bat anymore. I haven't been for a while," he stated.