Why will Travis Head get promoted as opener for Australia's test tour of Sri Lanka?

Travis Head was the leading run scorer in the BGT 2024-25.

Australia, having already secured their spot in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final, will begin their Sri Lanka tour on Wednesday, January 29, in Galle.

Australia will play a two-match test series in the tour, which will be great chance for them to test themselves on turning tracks and improve their record in the subcontinent.

Australia encountered problems with their top order during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 as South Australian Nathan McSweeney was dropped after the first three tests for Sam Konstas. While Konstas impressed with his debut innings at the MCG, he struggled for consistency, scoring 113 runs in four innings.

Australia’s stand-in captain Steve Smith has now confirmed that Travis Head will open the innings with Usman Khawaja in the upcoming Galle test.

On that note, let’s take a look what has triggered this change in the Australian lineup.

Why will Travis Head get promoted as opener for Australia’s test tour of Sri Lanka?

Initially placed at No. 5, Head was moved up to open the innings during the 2023 BGT in India, in the Indore test, to take advantage of the hard new ball.

Head’s promotion paid off immediately as the southpaw scored an unbeaten 49 in the second innings, helping Australia to a nine-wicket victory.

He continued his form in the last test in Ahmedabad scoring 32 and 90 across both innings in the drawn test.

Speaking to the media ahead of the first test in Sri Lanka, Australia’s stand-in captain Steve Smith emphasized that Head’s impressive performance as an opener during the BGT 2023 in India played a significant role in the selectors’ decision to have him open against Sri Lanka.

He added, “The selectors liked what they saw in India when he (Head) had that opportunity. He got after the new ball, scored quickly, and put the pressure on them straight away, so I guess similar thinking here.“

Head’s move to the top means Australia will need to decide between Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, and Josh Inglis to fill the No. 5 spot.

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