Travis Head blasted a rapid-fire half-century on day one of the first Test. (Getty Images: Robert Cianflone)
In short:
Travis Head says he does not think he will continue his role as opener for Australia after the Sri Lanka series
Head believes he will slide back to five and Sam Konstas will open in the World Test Championship final in June
What's next?
The second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle begins on Thursday
Travis Head can't see himself ever opening the batting in Australian conditions despite another great innings at the top of the order on the subcontinent.
Head vindicated the big selection call to drop Sam Konstas for the first Sri Lanka Test, whacking a half-century off only 35 balls and helping set the tone for a dominant Australian win.
"It was not by design to go out and score as quickly as I did," said Head, who was eventually caught in the deep on 57.
"It was the same mindset: if they present an opportunity to score, I want to score."
The innings continued an impressive recent run of form on the subcontinent for Head, once considered too incompetent against spin to be selected at all in Asia.
Since his reinvention as the Australian batting order's aggressor-in-chief, Head has averaged 56 at the top across the 2023 India tour and the ongoing Sri Lanka series.
Australia's regular number five is set to remain there when the second match of the series begins in Galle on Thursday, with the team hunting a 2-0 series whitewash
But Head expects it is unlikely he would ever face the new ball in seaming conditions, even with Usman Khawaja's retirement expected in the coming years.
Head does not expect to open the batting for Australia during the World Test Championship final or back at home. (Getty Images: Buddhika Weerasinghe)
Head pointed out Steve Smith, Nathan McSweeney and now Konstas had all been considered ahead of him in the 12 months since legendary opener David Warner retired.
"It feels like the middle order is the spot in Australia for me," said Head.
"As long as I can keep being consistent in that position and keep trying to do as well as I can, that's great but it's probably unlikely that I would (open) in Australia with where we've been in the last two years."
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Coach Andrew McDonald has already flagged changes to the batting order for the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord's in June.
Head expects to make way for Konstas and move back to number five for that Test — barring selection pressure from recent debutant Josh Inglis and Cameron Green, who is set to recover in time from his back injury in time to bat.
"Most likely I'll go back in the middle order and Sam will open," Head said.
"Josh has had an amazing start, guys are playing well, Greeny's going to be fit. It's going to be hard to fit in."
AAP
