New Delhi, January 28 (HS): Australia has selected Travis Head as Usman Khawaja’s opening partner for the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Khawaja was paired with Nathan McSweeney first and later Sam Constas in the home Test series against India. But now for the subcontinent tour, they are going back to the formula that proved effective during the tour of India in 2023 and are furthering the idea they had about keeping flexibility with their batting order in Test cricket.
A day before the match, Steve Smith said in a press conference, “He (Head) did really well against the new ball in India. He put pressure on the spinners immediately and we know how well they hit the seam if they do that. It will be fun to watch him.” Smith, however, declined to name a final XI, preferring to wait and see the conditions.
“We’ll wait and see what we get, probably on the morning of the game, and then go from there. But things can change very quickly, in this part of the world, the sun hasn’t come out too much. So we’ll have another look at the wicket, and then from there, we’ll name the team at the toss,” he said.
This could mean Australia may consider leaving out 19-year-old Constas, who has made a mark early in his career. Smith still sees the positives of keeping him in the squad.
He said, “If he doesn’t play he will have to practice a lot here, which in itself is great for development. You know, I only have to think back to 2013, when I didn’t play the first few Tests, and the amount of balls I played in the nets, and the skills I developed from facing net bowlers and things like that. So whether he plays or not, I think it’s going to be a great experience for him. He’s going to learn a lot.”
Furthermore, Smith confirmed that he has recovered well from the elbow injury he suffered while playing in the Big Bash League, which had caused concern ahead of the tour.
“Luckily it was mainly a muscle injury, it healed quite quickly. I’m actually batting without tape,” he said.
Similarly, the other injury concern in the camp was left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann, who has now returned fit.
Smith said, “Obviously the surgeon has done a great job for him, so that he can field and do what he has been able to do in the last few days, we are a bit surprised. Either he is a great actor or he has an amazing ability to bear pain. He is fine in every way. He is ready to play.”
Hindusthan Samachar
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