'Travball’ at the top; Decoding why Travis Head must open for Australia in Tests

Travis Head celebrates after Perth ton [Source: AFP Photos]

Travis Head hasn't always been the Test maestro in its true sense since his debut in 2018, and is often considered the white-ball monster who pounces on every opportunity to hit the ball.

However, Head's recent 'Travball' heroics against the English visitor at Perth in the Ashes opener saw the 31-year-old produce a blitzkrieg knock on a pitch that saw 19 wickets tumble on the first day. 

Notably, Head headed the team home as an opener, a move that has been considered by Australia only six times in the southpaw's career.

Head has been regular in the test setup of Australia for quite some time now and essentially sees him at No. 5 most of the time. However, in the quest for finding Usman Khawaja's opening partner, Travis Head should be Australia's answer, as data says so.

---

ALSO READ

"Travball destroyed bazball": Travis Head hurricane at Perth collects online praise

---

Travis Head is at his best while opening in Tests

Travis Head has played in four positions throughout his Test career – as an opener, at No. 3, No. 5 and No. 6. Out of all these, he has 74 Test innings appearances at No. 5, where he averages 41.46 with 8 centuries and 12 half-centuries to his name.

However, what is even more remarkable is that from his 9 Test innings appearances for Australia as an opener, Head has scored 444 runs at an average of 55.50, consistently producing scores in the 30s, 40s and 50s.

(Travis Head's performances by batting position in Tests)

Though Travis Head has been backed at No. 5, inconsistency has affected him a number of times, as he also holds the unwanted record of seven ducks in that position. After 9 innings at No. 5, Head averaged 51.88, which is still 6.52% lower than his current opening average.

Extreme play at No. 5

Moreover, at No. 5, Head’s form has often been extreme – either massive scores or nothing at all, further underlining his inconsistency. A snippet from his 2023 scoring timeline reflects this instability clearly.

(Test innings snippet from Travis Head's batting performance at No. 5)

Travis Head is the answer to Australia's opening woes

Travis Head’s turnaround was crucial for Australia. Usman Khawaja, who was pushed down the order after suffering back spasms ahead of the Perth Test, helped debutant Jake Weatherald open alongside Head. 

However, Weatherald’s first innings did not impress, and it may not secure him a long stay in international cricket. Sam Konstas looks unstable in the scheme of things too.

Therefore, Head’s form at the top in Test cricket could help solve Australia’s ongoing search for a stable opening as well as explosive partner, especially as Khawaja has had seven different opening partners since David Warner’s retirement.

In every sense, Travis Head appears to be the answer to Australia’s puzzling opener hunt, especially given his strong performances as an opener in white-ball cricket as well.

---

ALSO READ

"When Trav gets going...": Abhishek lauds SRH partner Travis Head's Ashes century

---