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'He Might Be...': Usman Khawaja Backs Travis Head To Open Against India In Border-Gavaskar Series

Head likely to open Vs India [x] Head likely to open Vs India [x]

Australian batter, Usman Khawaja has backed fellow teammate, Travis Head to open alongside him against the touring Indian side in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series. With David Warner's retirement, Australia had no designated opener, and they promoted Steve Smith at the top.

However, the experiment to play Smith as an opener failed as the Aussie superstar is yet to register a single score of 100-plus as opener, and currently averages 28.50, with just 181 runs in 8 innings.

Khawaja doesn't want to open with Steve Smith

As a result, there is a possibility that Smith could move back to his favourite number 4 spot, leaving the opening slot empty once again. To put into perspective, Warner and Khawaja formed a lethal opening pair, and were successful together at the top of the order, however, with his retirement, Australia are left with an important slot to fill in.

In an interview with Fox Sports, Khawaja was asked about Travis Head's chances of opening alongside him, and the southpaw gave a positive reply.


"He'll just probably never say it," the opener laughed this week. "So I'll say it for him. "Opening is a very important spot (but) I still think we have the best Test player of my era in the side, in Steve Smith, and his best spot has been number four.I feel like that's his best spot.I feel like the best balance for our team is (Marnus) Labuschagne three, Smith four. For me, the number one consideration is 'what's best for the team?'.

"At the end of the day, it's a decision for the selectors. But if you have me opening, Labuschagne three, Smith four. I feel like Travis Head might be best suited. He's obviously been very successful opening the batting in one-day cricket and, breaking it down, I'd probably lean towards him."

Travis Head's rise as a middle-order batter

Since 2021, Head has been the best Australian batter going around. He was also the sixth-highest run-getter in WTC 2021-23 cycle, accumulating, 1,389 runs, at an average of 55.66. He has solidified his stature as one of the best middle-order batters in the world.

As a result, there is no need for him to open the batting. He is at his best when he is operating at number 5, and the numbers rightly justifies his talent. However, against a quality Indian bowling attack, Head might struggled at the top.