Australia will think about taking the drastic step of adjusting its batting order mid-Check match to fight its choice dilemma on the high for the Sri Lanka collection.
Travis Head and Sam Konstas arrived in Galle seemingly locked in a battle to associate veteran opener Usman Khawaja for the primary of two matches starting on January 29.
Teenage swashbuckler Konstas is the incumbent and helped seal Australia’s first collection win over India in a decade with invaluable contributions throughout his first two Check matches.
Australia’s middle-order aggressor on dwelling soil, Head averaged 55.75 runs as David Warner’s damage alternative in the course of the remaining two and a half Exams on the final subcontinent to India in 2023.
“I do not know the place I will bat at this stage,” Head mentioned forward of Monday’s predominant coaching session for the primary Check.
“We’ll see how that wicket performs out over the following couple of days.”
However Head revealed Australia had been discussing the prospect of shifting its batting order mid-game if pitch situations referred to as for flexibility.
Questions stay as to how a lot spin can be on provide from day one within the Check matches, with the pitch enjoying very in another way in Galle throughout Australia’s final two visits in 2022 and 2016.
Sam Konstas’s place within the Australian order continues to be but to be utterly settled. (Getty Photos: Jason McCawley)
South Australian veteran Head is extra skilled in Asia than Konstas, who’s embarking on his first subcontinent Check tour, however has not all the time been in a position to make one of the best of turning wickets.
Head mentioned when it got here to the opener debate, Australia might be able to have its cake and eat it too.
“It has been a subject of dialog for the final little bit on this group on whether or not the Australian first innings, second innings, why does not the order change?” Head mentioned.
“Why cannot we be versatile? What strikes? How can we be courageous?
“That hasn’t performed out as such but. Is that this the tour to do it? We’ll wait and see.”
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The present Australian group has typically modified its batting order mid-game to deploy a nightwatchman, often Nathan Lyon, however a premeditated mid-game swap could be unprecedented.
However within the period of Konstas reverse-ramp photographs and booming help for Check cricket, Head feels the time is ripe for change.
“The sport is evolving, so why not proceed to see the place we are able to make jumps and leaps and the place can we get a bonus?” he mentioned.
“If that is utilizing folks in several positions, it is not historically executed a hell of lots … (however) this group’s skilled sufficient and in an excellent place the place gamers can be open to that if wanted to be.”
Head averaged 7.7 runs at his traditional No.5 spot throughout Australia’s final go to to Sri Lanka — the worst figures for any bilateral collection of his 54-match Check profession.
Travis Head had a prolific dwelling summer season however has historically struggled within the subcontinent. (Getty Photos: Bradley Kanaris)
His subcontinent type was so dire that Head discovered himself dropped for the beginning of the 2023 India collection, regardless of shining in opposition to the West Indies and South Africa within the earlier dwelling summer season.
Head returns to Sri Lanka able to play together with his trademark optimistic intent no matter his place within the order, admitting the final tour to Sri Lanka was one to neglect.
“I wasn’t happy with the best way that tour went,” he mentioned.
“I did undergo a little bit of a transition right here and in Pakistan final time, tried to play a bit extra historically.
“That (2023) Indian collection was one which might have gone somehow. I do not play effectively and I most likely by no means see a subcontinent tour once more.
“Or I’m going on the market and do what I have been doing the final couple of years and go on the market a bit of bit extra relaxed.
“So I will draw on that.
“I really feel comfy wherever I should be to win the Check. I ain’t bothered the place I bat anymore. I have not been for some time.”
AAP
