Ashes: Travis Head happy to stay as Aussie opener as Usman Khawaja leaves training early

Travis Head has had his say about his role for the rest of the Ashes in light of skipper Pat Cummins’ view that batting orders are ‘overrated’, as Usman Khawaja left training before batting just four days out from the second Test.

The pressure on Usman Khawaja’s Test place has risen a notch with Travis Head declaring batting orders are overrated and he would be happy to open in the pink ball Test.

Head’s stunning second innings century in Perth against England in the first Test has created a wave of support for him to stay at opener and replace Khawaja who was battling a back injury.

Khawaja, however, remains a slight favourite to retain his place on his home ground if he can prove his fitness.

Khawaja joined his teammates at the Gabba on Sunday but left the session early after deciding not to bat.

In a string of radio interviews last week Head intimated he would be happy to stay as an opener.

At the Gabba nets on Sunday evening he radiated that vibe without going so far as to say “I want the job.’’

Asked would he liked to do it again, Head said: “I’m happy if that is what’s needed to win a Test match. If that is what’s required I’m fine with it.’’

“With batting orders and Test cricket I am a player who can play any role. I am open to it.’’

Travis Head was the hero in the first Test. Photo: Gareth Copley/Getty Images.

Head’s openness to doing the role is significant as former batting great Barry Richards said one of the most important qualities needed to be a successful Test opener is a genuine desire to do the role.

Head said he agreed with Pat Cummins that batting orders were overrated, a view Test great Matt Hayden disagrees with because he feels specialist opening is a defined skill and the reason why Australia has failed with a squadron of makeshift openers since David Warner’s retirement is that they are more suited down the order.

“I agree with Pat. I think you could use this order and these players in a range of different ways. I agree with Pat that they are slightly overrated but the traditionalists will say that is how it has got to be.

“That’s where the game is going. and when do you use that.’’

If Head does open one of the interesting aspects of his new role was how he bats in the first innings and whether he unleashes his inner beast.

“I think moments of it I wouldn’t see it as too dissimilar (to Perth). It’s all about risk evaluation. We are going to have good and bad moments.’’

Australia’s second selection decision is whether to retain spinner Nathan Lyon, who likes bowling with the pink ball and at the Gabba.

But the prospect of England batting with their hurricane fury means their innings rarely last long enough for their opposition to have great need for a slow bowler.

Pat Cummins has not been named in the second Test squad due to a back injury but Australia will inspect him in the nets on Monday before deciding whether he should make a shock return.

Originally published as Ashes: Travis Head happy to stay as Aussie opener as Usman Khawaja leaves training early