Travis Head snatches arch-enemy Sam Konstas in Australia’s 11th Test against Sri Lanka


Australia’s star batsman Travis Head gets chance to open the bat in upcoming two Tests series against Sri Lanka. Hyde is a regular in Australia’s white-ball cricket but has been in the middle of the batting order in Tests.

However, the Australian Electoral Commission chairman George Bailey With spin conditions good in the subcontinent, the possibility of having Travis Head batting first in the Test series against Sri Lanka cannot be ruled out.

If Head bats first, it won’t bode well for young opener Sam Konstass, who recently made his Test debut against India. Constas has had an exciting start to his Test career, charging into the opposition.

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Travis Head may open in Sri Lanka

Cricket Australia chief George Bailey believes Travis Head is an X-factor player who can turn games around. However, he said the final decision will be made by the head coach and captain based on the makeup of the team.

Hyde tentatively opens the batting for Australia during the 2023 tour of India David Warner Ruled out due to injury. He scored 223 runs in five innings with an average of 55.75 and a strike rate of 71.47.

“Travis Head is an option (open). We have a lot of options and there have been some preliminary discussions about where that might land and it might depend on the make-up of the first eleven. I think “Decisions will be made in due course by coach McDonald and captain Smith once we arrive in Sri Lanka,” Bailey told reporters when announcing the squad.

Travis Head has an aggressive hitting style and can be a lethal hitter. He has been in excellent form across all formats over the past few years. Recently, he scored 448 runs in five Tests at an average of 56 and became the highest run-scorer in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

He scored 92.56 in all runs including 200s and 50s. Hyder is considered a great player of spin and can combine perfectly with Usman Khawaja at the top. Khawaja usually likes to take his time, which allows Hyde to come into his own and play freely.

Will Sam Constace be dumped?

Travis Head’s promotion to the top spot means Sam Konstas will be omitted from the starting lineup. Konstas impressed in his first series and became known for playing an aggressive style of cricket without caring about the quality of his opponents.

He bowled an unorthodox delivery to Jasprit Bumrah, the best bowler in the world at that time. Even though he was beaten multiple times, he wasn’t afraid to come down and crush Bumrah in the infield.

George Bailey praised the youngster’s brave batting but feels the tour of Sri Lanka will give more insight into Constas’ abilities. His skills in backing the opener are able to work in spin-friendly conditions.

“I think the truth is, you never really know (how they’re going to handle a given situation) until someone faces them,” he said. “We’ve seen him learn things very quickly. (He) absorbs a lot of information,” Bailey said.

“So (we) expect a lot from him. I know from the spin he’s had in Australia and the opportunities he’s had in different parts of the world, we think his game is a really good fit and a proven one. Technology,” he noted.

Australia will play two Test matches against Sri Lanka. In the absence of Pat Cummins, Steve Smith will lead the side, with Travis Head serving as vice-captain. Australia have also selected spinners like Todd Murphy and Matt Kooneman to complement Nathan Lyon.

Australian team travels to Sri Lanka

Steve Smith (center), Sean Abbott, Scott Bolan, Alex Carey (wk), Cooper Connolly, Travis Head (VC), Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.



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