New Delhi: Australia will test a new opening combination in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle starting on Wednesday, January 29. Stand-in captain Steve Smith confirmed about the developement on the eve of the opening Test that Travis Head will open for visitors in Galle.
The World Test Championship 2023-25 finalists will name their playing XI at the coin toss in Galle on Wednesday but Smith, who will take charge of the team in place of regular skipper Pat Cummins, confirmed the opening combination.
Head will open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja during the first ICC World Test Championship contest against Sri Lanka.
The confirmation ends speculation about Khawaja’s opening partner as Head will replace teenage rookie Sam Konstas, who made headlines in the home series against India, at the top of the order.
“Trav (Travis Head) will go to the top, outside of that I think it will be pretty stable,” Smith said. “I don’t see it being a great deal of change from that.”
Fireworks expected in Galle
Smith revealed why the team management decided to promote Head to the top and said that the selectors’ confidence in Head after his impressive displays in India, was one of the key factors.
With the No.5 spot now vacant, Konstas is likely to fill that position.
The other contenders to fill the vacant spot are Nathan McSweeney and Josh Inglis. McSweeney had a tough start to his Test career as an opener during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The young batter lost his place to Konstas after three matches but was later recalled into the squad for the Sri Lanka tour.
Australia, who are playing their last series of the WTC 2023-25 cycle, have qualified for their second successive WTC final. The Pat Cummins-led side will face South Africa in the summit clash in June. On a two-Test tour of the Islanders, Australia will look to gather momentum ahead of the WTC final.
The opening Test will be played in Galle from January 29 while the second Test will begin on February 6 at the same venue.
SL vs AUS: Australia, who are playing their last series of the WTC 2023-25 cycle, have qualified for their second successive WTC final. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
