Former Australian opener David Warner has expressed his strong support for Usman Khawaja to reclaim the opening spot for the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, suggesting that a return for Khawaja at the top, with Travis Head moving back to No. 5, would maximize Australias chances against England. Warners comments come as selectors face a crucial decision ahead of a match where Australia could retain the Ashes on home soil.
Khawaja missed the previous Test in Perth due to back spasms, prompting Travis Head and Jake Weatherald to step in as openers. The makeshift duo produced two solid opening partnerships, offering selectors a new dynamic. However, Warner believes that Heads impact is best utilized in the middle order, and Khawajas experience is vital at the top. “I think Uzzy (Usman Khawaja) comes back in, slides to the top, and Trav (Travis Head) goes down. That’s probably a worse result for England, Travis Head going back down the order,” Warner told reporters, as quoted as saying by ICC.
Travis Head’s record at No. 5 is notable. He averages 41.46 in that position, with eight of his ten Test centuries coming from the middle order, including three at Adelaide Oval.
Warner emphasized Head’s adaptability and willingness to step up when required, but also noted Head’s preference to bat at No. 5. “At the end of the day, Travis put his hand up to bat in the situation he was in. He came out and batted in the way Travis Head does. You see plenty of interviews from Trav saying that is Uzzy’s spot, and if when the time comes, they ask him to go up the order, he wouldn’t mind doing that,” Warner added.
“We didn’t have that aggressor down in the middle order [in previous years]. Australia has that now as well, and moving forward with whatever Uzzy decides to do, if he hangs them up, they can look that way. But then it’s on all of us to understand that potentially might not work and Travis will have to go back down the order. And then they are going to have to look for another replacement. The selectors have a headache,” said the former Australian opener.
As Australia prepare for a third Test in Adelaide beginning on December 17, the selectors’ decision on the opening combination could decide Usman Khawaja’s Test future.
