David Warner makes call on opener conundrum as selectors handed perfect Usman Khawaja exit plan

Former Australian opener David Warner has made a huge call on who should open the batting in the second Ashes Test in Brisbane.

Australia appears to have finally found an answer to the selection headache that has been plaguing the Test side since David Warner’s retirement.

Veteran opener Usman Khawaja’s back spasms saw Australia turn to Marnus Labuschagne and then Travis Head to open the batting in Perth alongside debutant Jake Weatherald.

But it was Head’s incredible display in the second innings to help the hosts to an eight-wicket win over England in Perth that has given Australian selectors plenty to consider, with the reigning Allan Border Medallist belting 123 off 83 balls.

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Since Warner’s retirement at the beginning of 2024, Australia has tried various opening partnerships, and none have stuck.

Steve Smith, Nathan McSweeney, Sam Konstas and Labuschagne have all partnered with Usman Khawaja, 38, in the past two years.

Yet after 31-year-old Head shone up the order and Weatherald showed plenty of promise in the second innings, many have called for Khawaja to make way.

And now Warner has thrown his support behind Head to open the batting moving forward.

“He definitely did think about it, and I definitely do think he can do it,” Warner told SMH.

David Warner believes Travis Head should open the batting moving forward. Image: Getty

“The thing is in Australian cricket is we haven’t really had an opener to cement that position. I think he could do that job, and we’ve seen first-hand here what he can do.

“Is he going to be consistent? I think he can be, it’s the matchwinning performances that are the ones you’ve got to look at. Then it’s upon the selectors to have the confidence to stick with him and do that.”

Former Australian cricketers turned commentators Simon Katich and Damien Fleming also called for Head and Weatherald to open the batting in the day-night Test in Brisbane.

“Travis Head and Jake Weatherald should open,” Katich said on SEN.

To which Fleming replied. “Same with me.”

“You cannot change that (their pairing). That was exhilarating and good signs from Jake Weatherald that we can actually have a two-pronged attack. Because he’s a very fluent scorer. Give them time to bat together.”

Usman Khawaja (left) didn't open the batting due to back spasms, with Travis Head (right) making the most of his chance at the top of the order. Image: Getty

Even Wisden cricket editor Lawrence Booth said it is time Australia moves on from Khawaja, stating his injury is the perfect chance to pull the trigger.

“I would keep Head as opener; I’d leave Khawaja out. I’d use the back spasm thing as a way to effectively ease him out of his Test career here,” Booth said on Wisden’s Ashes Daily podcast.

“Khawaja’s back spasm not only allowed Head to go in first, so it was quite a fortuitous injury in a way, but it may get Australia out of a tricky decision that they have to make on Khawaja, which is, ‘Is he past it?’ Head walks in and scores a hundred off 69 balls in Khawaja’s position, and you are thinking, ‘Well, why would we change that for Brisbane?’

Usman Khawaja has struggled for form the last two years. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

“When Head walked out, my only thinking about it from an English perspective was: if they get Head early, Australia has wasted Head’s ability against the older ball in the middle order. They’ve lost their great counterattacking threat later on. But in fact, they worked it out perfectly.

“So, if I were Australia and did the thing that England least want them to do, I would keep Head as opener, I’d leave Khawaja out. I’d use the back spasm thing as a way to effectively ease him out of his Test career here. England would like to see Khawaja there again, but I just can’t see it.”

Jake Weatherald did enough in the second innings to keep his spot in the side. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Moving Head up the order would also allow selectors to bring the unlucky Beau Webster back into the line-up.

The lanky Tasmanian was one of Australia’s best last summer, and he also gives the side another bowling option.

However, Khawaja is reportedly confident of proving his fitness for the second Ashes Test, leaving Australia with a selection dilemma.

Khawaja has been a regular in the Test side for several years, but his form in the last two summers has left a lot to be desired.

If, as expected, Khawaja proves his fitness, the selectors will have to decide whether to again partner him with Weatherald and leave Head back down the order or pull the trigger and use the chance to end the veteran’s Test career.

In the past two years, he has only scored one Test century and surpassed 50 on one other occasion.

But with the lack of options at the top of the order, he has held onto his spot.

Yet Head’s brilliant display has given Australian selectors an easy exit.

It just remains to be seen if they pull the trigger.

The second Test match will take place at the Gabba on December 4.

Originally published as David Warner makes call on opener conundrum as selectors handed perfect Usman Khawaja exit plan