Opening in Test cricket a specialist job, don’t see myself doing it: Travis Head

Travis Head. (Photo Source: Twitter)

With David Warner gearing up for retirement, all eyes are on who is going to step into the opening role for Australia after he is gone. Travis Head, the star of Australia’s ODI World Cup win, has put to rest any talk of him sliding into the opening spot.

Head emphasized that opening the batting in Test cricket is a “specialist job”. Despite his impressive performances at the top of the order in the ODI format, Head stated that the players who have been waiting to get into the team for a while deserve the first crack at it.

“The guys that have been waiting to get into the team for a while deserve the first crack at it. But the conversations are ongoing with everyone…only one for me is [opening in] the subcontinent,” Head said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Australia’s head coach, Andrew McDonald, had hinted at an unconventional choice for Warner’s replacement. However, Head believes the selectors are content with his contribution in the middle order.

“[Selectors are]  I don’t see myself moving around too much in the future,” he said.

The contenders for the opening slot are likely to be Cameron Bancroft, Matthew Renshaw, and Marcus Harris. Having showcased their skills in the domestic arena, these players remain on the selectors’ radar. Meanwhile, Head, who had replaced Warner as an opener earlier this year in India during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to an injury, stated that his focus is on the middle order and he is committed to contributing where he has thrived in the past two years. “I think [opening] it’s a specialist job,” he said.

I’m not a lock for that T20 World Cup: Travis Head

Having played a pivotal role in Australia’s ODI World Cup triumph, Head’s attention now shifts to Test cricket, with the first match against Pakistan set to kick off on December 14. Reflecting on his recent T20I series against India, he expressed a keen interest in securing a spot for the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA next year.

“I’m not a lock for that T20 World Cup, so I wanted to present and try to perform and try and get myself in that team. We felt like that was the greater opportunity to play the three T20s [than Shield],” Head said. “We haven’t got many T20 opportunities coming up over the next little bit, so it was sort of that last chance to press my claims to make sure that I’m in the mix.”

Even with his injured hand not at 100 percent, Head remained positive. He acknowledged a lackluster training session at the WACA ground.

“Pretty average yesterday…wicket is trickier,” Head said of his training session. “Nothing really changes from my side of things, I want to be positive. I want to be aggressive, but take the right percentages.”

As a fans’ hero in Australia, Head has gained popularity, with some even dressing up as him for Christmas parties. Heading into the Perth Test, he expects tremendous support from the local fans.

As the first Test against Pakistan approaches, Head is focused on his role in the middle order, aiming to continue his cricketing journey with the same positive energy that has made him a fan favorite across Australia.