BGT 2024/25: Khawaja wants Australia to open with Travis Head

Australia’s incumbent Test opener, Usman Khawaja, wants the Kangaroos to try out Travis Head at the top of the order and push Steven Smith back to No.4, as he believes the move will benefit the side overall.

Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting in November, there have been endless talks surrounding the batting position of Smith, who moved to the top of the order at the start of the year to accommodate Cameron Green at No.4. Smith posted a stunning 91* in just his fourth innings as an opener,  but, overall, his stint as an opener has been a miss more than a hit, highlighted by his average of 28.50.

But Khawaja believes Australia will need to push Smith back down the order and instead open with Head. The left-hander has previously opened five times in Tests but never outside the subcontinent.

"At the end of the day, it is a decision for the selectors. But if you have me opening, Labuschagne three, Smith four ... I feel like Travis Head might be best suited,” Khawaja told Fox Cricket, reported News18.

“He has obviously been very successful opening the batting in one-day cricket, and, breaking it down, I would probably lean towards him. But again, it is not my decision.”

Khawaja opined that Smith will inevitably score runs as an opener but asserted that the veteran will unquestionably be far more effective down the order against the older ball.

“When you have got your best batsman, you want to protect him. And in Australia, the hardest time to bat, by far, is that first hour. New Kookaburra ball, new wicket, it is always the hardest time, I do not care who you are. And do not get me wrong, Steve Smith will score runs as an opening batsman. But will he score more batting number four? I reckon he will,” Khawaja said.

Earlier this week, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald said that the management have not yet finalised Smith’s batting position, and are still pondering where to slot in the 35-year-old.

Head has had a torrid time in Tests of late. Batting at No.5. Across his last eight Tests, the left-hander has averaged just 22.57, passing the 50-run mark just once.

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