Can play any role, ready to open, says Head before pink-ball Ashes Test
Head blasted the second quickest in Ashes history, in 69 balls, on way to a match-winning 123 runs after replacing regular opener Usman Khawaja, who was unable to take to the field.
New Delhi: Australia's Travis Head says he is willing to open the batting again after his match-winning second innings display in the first Ashes Test in Perth.
Head blasted the second quickest in Ashes history, in 69 balls, on way to a match-winning 123 runs after replacing regular opener Usman Khawaja, who was unable to take to the field.
His pyrotechnics drove the Aussies to an eight-wicket victory in the five-match series opener inside two days.
"I'm preparing for anything at this stage. There's a fair bit to work through. But I've just got here and we haven't had many conversations in the last week. It's about spending some time out of the game, as much as you can," Head said on Sunday after landing in Brisbane on Sunday for the second test that begins on Thursday.
"I'm just preparing for each test to play the best way I can, and wherever I line up I'm happy. If that's what's needed to win a test match and that's what's required, yeah I'm fine with it."
Australia have tried out several openers to replace the retired David Warner but none have looked settled while negotiating the new ball, with debutant Jake Weatherald was the latest who found it difficult to deal with the hostile pace of Jofra Archer.
Head’s hurricane innings underlined the need for Australia to be flexible with their batting line-ups and willingness to adopt the approaches used in the white-ball formats.
"I feel I can play in any role, so I'm open to (opening), and it's just trying to work out in-game and in moments when you may use that," he said.
"But I think all options are on the table and have been for a long period of time, about where the team can potentially get better and where there's opportunities to potentially win games of cricket in moments. I think it's always been on the table.
Head believes batting orders are "slightly overrated".
"But the traditionalists will say that's how it's got to be. It's ever evolving and we'll see where we get to," he said.