.jpg?type=hq)
Travis Head featuring for Australia - (Source: AFP)
In a significant development, there are reports that Australia's star opener, Travis Head, might withdraw from the last two T20Is vs India to focus on his preparation for the Ashes. Head is likely to follow the footsteps of Josh Hazlewood, who too would not be part of Australia's squad for the 4th and 5th T20I.
A report from CodeSports stated that the Ashes is less than a month away, and the players want to start their preparations early. Notably, England will tour Australia for a five-match Test series starting from November 21.
Matthew Short is likely to replace Head at the top
With Head not available for the final two T20Is, it is expected that Matthew Short will be promoted up the order and will open the innings with skipper Mitchell Marsh.
Notably, Head is going through a slump in form as the southpaw has amassed just 93 runs in four innings in this multi-format series against India. Meanwhile, Short, on the other hand, has been in some fine form as the 29-year-old scored 112 runs in three innings in ODIs, but was dismissed on a golden duck in the 1st T20I.
Head joins the list of cricketers opting for early preparations for the Ashes
Cricket Australia are serious about the Ashes, and the players, too, are taking it seriously. Travis Head is the latest to prioritise red-ball cricket, but before him, Hazlewood made himself only available for the first two T20Is.
Not only that, but Australia coach Andrew McDonald had also left the dressing room after the first ODI to focus on the Ashes and held a meeting with Steve Smith and Pat Cummins. Not just Australia, but England are also on the same path as Jofra Archer was left out of the first ODI vs New Zealand to focus on his workload management for the Ashes.
.jpg?type=mq "ENG's ODI approach")
