Nathan Lyon reveals bonkers Travis Head dressing room act during first Ashes Test

Aussie spinner Nathan Lyon has revealed the four word response Travis Head offered as chaos unfolded in the Aussie dressing room.

Nathan Lyon has revealed the epic first response Travis Head gave when there was chaos in the Aussie dressing room on Saturday.

The South Australian is the talk of the cricket world after he stood up with one of the greatest Ashes centuries in recent years to guide Australia to an eight-wicket victory in Perth.

It was a surprising sight to see Head walk out to open the batting with Jake Weatherald as Australia began its fourth innings chase of 204 runs.

Speaking with Cricket Australia’s media team, Lyon revealed after the match Head had thrown his hat in the ring to open with Weatherald as captain Steve Smith wrestled with the tough decision of replacing Usman Khawaja.

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Aussie team officials were earlier criticised for “poor management” after a blunder saw Khawaja not allowed to open the batting because he spent more time off the field than the time it took for Australia to bowl England out once he went off for treatment.

After Australia’s top order was wiped out at 4/31 in the first innings, opening the batting is not something most cricketers would volunteer for. Enter Head.

“The chat went around about who would open with the Uzzie situation,” Lyon explained.

“As Trav and I were sitting next to each other in the change rooms as he was padding up and he goes, ‘Ah well. I might as well. It can’t be that hard. I might as well go get ‘em’. And credit to him it’s exactly what he did.

“As I said before, I reckon that’s the best hundred I think I’ve ever seen.”

It was so good, Aussie selectors now face a huge headache of performing major surgery to the Aussie XI for the second Test, beginning on December 4 at the Gabba.

As a middle order trump card, Australia has previously stuck with the proven formula of protecting head from facing the new ball before unleashing in the middle order.

After blasting 123 from 83 balls at the top of the order, selectors are facing the potential call to end Khawaja’s Test career if he is unable to prove his fitness this series.

After experiencing back spasms on Day 1 that prevented him from opening the batting in the first innings, Khawaja underwent more treatment after jumping in the slips.

Usman Khawaja is under pressure to keep his spot. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

The 38-year-old didn’t exactly look nimble in the field and dropped a fairly regulation catching chance. He was out for two in the first innings batting at No. 4.

Pat Cummins said the Australians expected Khawaja to come out to bat in the middle order if required, but he didn’t have to as Head scored 123 and Marnus Labuschagne finished unbeaten on 51.

Head’s performance, coupled with Khawaja’s form and fitness, prompted discussions over whether Khawaja could be dropped from Australia’s XI for the second Test.

There could be a major reshuffle to Australia’s line-up for the Gabba — Pat Cummins is eyeing a return from his own back injury, while Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out with a hamstring strain.

If Khawaja is left out, Head could remain as opener and all-rounder Beau Webster could slot it at No. 6 with Cameron Green moving up a position.

David Warner said in commentary: “The question comes, if Uzzie doesn’t get up for the second Test, do you continue with Travis Head and Beau Webster comes back into the line-up?”

Could Travis Head open the batting again? (AP Photo/Gary Day)

Khawaja is nearing the end of his career. Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

“Maybe that’s what the Australian cricket team needed,” Warner added, praising Head’s attacking style of play as the perfect response to England’s Bazball approach.

“He’s done it before in the subcontinent. Yeah, he might not have the greatest technique but he always counter punches.

“He could be that match for Weatherald and Uzzie could do down the order the next Test match or if he missed out due to injury.”

The other major point of contention is Lyon’s spot in the team after bowling just two overs for the entire match.

Heading into a pink ball Test in Brisbane, the temptation of going with an all-out pace attack is another wildcard option.

Weatherald scored 23 in the second innings after a duck in the first innings and is certain to be given another chance opening the batting.

Cummins said his body was “feeling good” and he was a realistic chance of playing the second Test as he ramps up his bowling loads after being sidelined with a stress fracture in his back.

Meanwhile, it’s unlikely England’s line-up will change much but the visitors will be searching for answers as the winless streak in Tests Down Under continued — the Poms are 0-14 with two draws from their past 16 matches in Australia.

No English team has won an Ashes series in Australia after going down 1-0 since 1955.