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Head will OPEN batting against Sri Lanka | 00:32
Australian vice-captain Travis Head will open in the First Test against Sri Lanka tomorrow – but where does that leave rising star Sam Konstas?
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The young gun burst onto the scene with his brilliant MCG knock in the Boxing Day Test, but could already find himself on the outer with a reshuffle at the top of the order.
Australian captain Steve Smith confirmed Head will open alongside Usman Khawaja at Galle International Stadium when speaking to media on Tuesday.
“Trav will go to the top, outside of that I think it will be pretty stable,” he said.
“I don’t see it being a great deal of change from that.
“The selectors liked what they saw in India when (Head) had that opportunity.
“He got after the new ball, scored quickly and put the pressure on them straight away so I guess similar thinking here.”
Head’s promotion could open the door for the return of Nathan McSweeney, who was dropped as opener for Konstas during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
Also in line for a potential call up is uncapped West Australian duo Josh Inglis and Cooper Connolly, given there’s a vacant middle order spot with Head’s promotion.
Smith said the tour would provide a lot of learning for Konstas – even if he didn’t feature in the series.
“I only have to think back to 2013 (in India) where I didn’t play the first two Tests, and just the amount of balls I was hitting in the nets and the skills I was able to develop from facing loads of net bowlers and things like that,” he said.
“So whether he plays or not, I think it’s going to be a wonderful experience for him.
“He’s going to learn a lot.”
Head had previously been used in the sub-continent as a pinch-hitter at the top of the order in Tests, most notably during the back end of Australia’s 2023 tour of India. Prior to Konstas’ whirlwind debut on Boxing Day last year against India, there was a growing expectation that Head would again open on the sub-continent this series, but his 19-year-old teammate’s start to life as an aggressive opener at Test level had given selectors extra food for thought in Galle.
Usman Khawaja will holds his place in the side up top for the Aussies, but could his partner-in-crime change from innings to innings? (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)Source: Getty ImagesIf Konstas does hold his spot in the XI though, it could see him go from opening the batting to lining up in the middle order for the first time in his professional red-ball career.
Australia’s second big selection point revolves around whether or not the touring party opt to deploy three finger spinners from the get-go in Sri Lanka, with left-arm orthodox Matt Kuhnemann and young gun Todd Murphy firmly in the frame to each accompany Nathan Lyon on the team sheet.
Kuhnemann looks to have successfully overcome an injury scare after a broken thumb in the Big Bash, and given his point of difference as a left armer, looks certain to play on Wednesday.
“Apparently the surgeon’s done an incredible job,” Smith said of Kuhnemann.
“For him to be able to field and do some of the things he’s been able to do the last couple of days, we’re kind of a bit gobsmacked.
“Either he’s a tremendous actor or he’s got great pain tolerance. He’s ticked all the boxes. He’s good to go.”
At this stage, it looks more likely than not for Murphy to also get the nod and play his seventh Test match, which will leave an unlucky Scott Boland on the sidelines and Mitch Starc as Australia’s sole out-and-out pace bowler.
In that instance, Beau Webster would act as the side’s second seamer — and could even act as yet another right-arm off-spin option with the older ball.
Galle’s pitch traditionally acts contrarily to that of Colombo, where reverse swing is far more prominent for pace bowlers than it is further down south.
The first ball will be bowled at 3:30pm AEDT on Wednesday afternoon, with the series Australia’s final Test hitout before their World Test Championship final against South Africa in June at Lord’s.
Australia’s Test touring squad of Sri Lanka: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Travis Head (vc), Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
First Test: January 29-February 2, Galle (3:30pm AEDT)
Second Test: February 6-10, Galle (3:30pm AEDT)
First ODI: February 12, Colombo (3:30pm AEDT)
Second ODI: February 14, Colombo (3:30pm AEDT)
