Former Test opener David Warner says he prefers the experience of Travis Head to open in Sri Lanka over Sam Konstas

David Warner has declared he would go with the experience of Travis Head over Sam Konstas to open in the upcoming Sri Lanka series. Have your say.

Former Test opener David Warner believes Australia should preference experience and open the batting with Travis Head for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.

The Australians have named a new-look squad for the two-Test series in Galle with fresh faces including Cooper Connolly in the frame to make their debut.

But while 19-year-old Sam Konstas is the incumbent alongside Usman Khawaja at the top of the order, Warner believes Australia could be better-suited opening with Head given his experience coming in against the new ball in the subcontinent.

Head opened in five innings during Australia’s tour of India in 2023, finishing with a top score of 90 in Ahmedabad and an average of 55.75.

Travis Head had success opening in subcontinental conditions in India in March 2023. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

“I think with the opportunity that’s presented itself for Heady to open, he probably can do that,” Warner said.

“You can look at it many ways but I think in the subcontinent over the years, we’ve not had a great deal of success. What does success look like for the Australian cricket team? It’s getting off to a good start and being able to capitalise. Especially in Sri Lanka, I think totals of 250 were winning you games.

“I think it’s a good move putting Trav up at the top of the order to get us off to a good start. Could Sam do that as well? He probably could. But I think with the experience that Trav’s got and the opposition probably going, ‘Wow, it’s Travis Head’, we’re going to have to be on point from ball one.”

Warner still believes that his Sydney Thunder teammate Konstas is the best long-term solution at the top of the order, and that sticking with him in Sri Lanka could be the best way to try him out in difficult conditions.

He also suggested that if selectors stay with the teenager, it would be a sure-fire way to build his confidence ahead of a big 12-month period which includes the World Test Championship final and an Ashes series.

“It’s about continuity as a player,” Warner said. “You don’t want to be that person that goes, ‘I’m going to open here but the next tour they’re not going to open with me’.

Sam Konstas walks off the field after his dismissal at the SCG. Picture: Saeed KHAN / AFP-

“How do you know if Sam Konstas can play spin in those conditions or how do you know, if it’s (Nathan) McSweeney batting in the middle order, how’s he going to go against spin?

“For me, it’s about them playing their game and what they need to do, and that’s basically instinct and I think you saw that with Sam in the Test matches which is exciting.”

Konstas is determined to show that he has more strings to his bow than the aggressive way he took on India’s bowlers during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The 19-year-old has previously spent time in Sri Lanka on a skills camp, meaning the conditions aren’t foreign to him. And while he appreciates the selectors may turn to Head, the teenager is confident he can succeed if given the chance.

“Obviously I’d like to get the opportunity if it does come, but we’ve got the camp in Dubai for I think two weeks and then see what they choose,” Konstas said.

“The style of my Shield season, that was a bit different. I feel like the beauty about me, I can change gears when I need to and hopefully I can find the right balance when I play in Sri Lanka.

“I’ve been to Sri Lanka before, and India, so I’ve had a taste of those conditions and hopefully my plans can succeed a bit there. For me, it’s understanding what works there in my game tactically and changing guards and trying to put pressure on the bowlers.

“Hopefully I get that opportunity to play against Sri Lanka.”

Originally published as Former Test opener David Warner says he prefers the experience of Travis Head to open in Sri Lanka over Sam Konstas