Image: Travis Head will open for Australia in the Sri Lanka Test series, replacing Sam Konstas / © Hindustan Times
In the lead-up to the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, Australia has confirmed Travis Head will open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja. This decision follows Head’s successful stint as an opener during the 2023 India series, where he impressed with aggressive scoring against the new ball. Despite this confirmation, Australia’s final XI will only be announced at the toss due to the variable conditions of the Galle pitch.
Captain Steve Smith noted that 19-year-old Sam Konstas, who debuted with a bold half-century against India, might lose his opening spot but could gain valuable experience in the middle order or from extensive practice. Josh Inglis, an uncapped wicketkeeper-batter, is also under consideration for the middle order. Thanks to a swift recovery, Spinner Matthew Kuhnemann is likely to play despite recently fracturing his thumb.
The first Test will begin on January 29, with a focus on spin-friendly tactics. Australia’s squad includes experienced players like Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon, while Sri Lanka will field key names such as Angelo Mathews and captain Dhananjaya de Silva. The two-match series is part of Australia’s broader subcontinental strategy, emphasizing adaptability and depth.