Travis Head has reiterated that he is happy to bat anywhere in Australia’s Test side, keeping the door open for a potential return to the middle order despite his recent success at the top.
The South Australian, unexpectedly elevated to opener during last month’s first Ashes Test in Perth, is currently the leading run-scorer of the series with 437 runs at 54.62 having replaced Usman Khawaja at the top of the order. After cracking hundreds in Perth and Adelaide, he top-scored during this week’s two-day Boxing Day contest at the MCG with a swashbuckling 46, while he’s set to once again open the batting for the fifth and final Test in Sydney.
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“I feel good at the top,” Head told reporters in Melbourne on Sunday.
“I felt like I’m batting well. I think I’m lining it up well.
“It’s been pleasing to be able to contribute in different ways.”
Following next week’s New Year’s Test at the SCG, Australia doesn’t have any red-ball cricket scheduled until August, with the potential of personnel changes pending fitness, form and retirements.
Head acknowledged that he would have no issue with sliding back down the order to No. 5 if needed, pending conditions and team balance.
“We’ve got a long gap between to piece the puzzles together to where the team wants to go,” he added.
“I’ve always been open to how we can make the team better, and if that means me at the top, and we’re a better cricket team and we’re winning more, then I’m happy.”
Head suggested the only significant difference between opening and batting in the middle order was the “nervous energy” associated with facing the first ball of a marquee contest.
“The only real difference is going to bed at night, not knowing if you’re going to face the first ball in the Boxing Day Test in front of 100,000 or not,” he said.
“But again, it’s still a red ball coming down, no matter if you’re opening or five.
“I’ve enjoyed it, but I’ve also enjoyed being five.”
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Australia has already retained the Ashes urn having won the opening three Tests against England, but the tourists bounced back by emerging victorious from a frantic two-day shootout in Melbourne, sealing a four-wicket victory in less than 32 hours.
The hosts were rolled for 132 on Saturday, with England chasing the 175-run target in 32.2 overs.
“It’s obviously disappointing waking up this morning having not won a Test match, when you feel like you’re having opportunities to put the game to bed,” Head reflected.
“It’d be nice to go out on a winning note next week.
“We’ve played 13 days of Test match cricket. I think we were pretty good for 12.”
More than 90,000 fans were expected for the sold-out third day in Melbourne, with Cricket Australia expected to lose millions from the shortened contest.
CA and the Melbourne Cricket Club explored the possibility of playing a one-day match at the MCG on Sunday or Monday, but Head declared there was “no chance” of him participating.
“Unfortunately, it’s just how it falls,” he said.
“It’s my birthday tomorrow, so it’s nice to be off on my birthday for once.”
Asked whether he or any of his teammates would consider joining their Big Bash League clubs for some T20 cricket before the Sydney Test, Head quipped: “Maybe the cricket nerds.”
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Elsewhere, England has come under scrutiny for a mid-series trip to Noosa, with the ECB set to investigate the drinking habits of its players.
However, Head believed the matter had been overblown in the media, adding that he was “jealous” of England’s mid-tour holiday, albeit with tongue firmly in cheek.
“Everyone else has made a lot more out of it than what it should have been,” he said.
“We’ve done the same thing on past tours, so I didn’t have an issue with it.”
Head also jumped to the defence of Ben Duckett, with footage of the seemingly intoxicated England opener circulating social media ahead of the Boxing Day Test. The 31-year-old revealed he had reached out to Duckett last week to see how he was faring.
“Everyone’s still human,” Head declared.
“What you do in your personal time is up to you. I know we live a high-profile life and some people are more high-profile than others and get themselves in situations, but at the end of the day, it’s a bit stiff.”
The fifth and final Ashes Test between Australia and England gets underway at the SCG on December 4.
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