Australia’s explosive left-handed batter Travis Head has backed himself to continue opening in Test cricket, admitting that the role does not fit the traditional profile of an Australian Test opener but insisting he is comfortable with his game at the top of the order.
Head’s promotion came during the second innings of the Perth Test against England last November, when he replaced the injured Usman Khawaja as opener. The move proved decisive as he smashed a 123-ball century off just 83 deliveries to help Australia complete a two-day victory.
He followed that performance with centuries in Adelaide and Sydney and finished the Ashes with 629 runs, firmly establishing himself as a viable option at the top of Australia’s Test batting order.
Reflecting on his new role, Head acknowledged that his first-class record does not resemble that of a conventional opening batter.
“I don’t know exact stats, but what have I played: 170, 180 first-class games. I might have opened in ten of them. I think it would suggest that I’m not an opening batter, a true opening batter, in terms of what Australian cricket is known for,” Head told Cricinfo.
However, the 32-year-old believes his natural game allows him to contribute effectively against the new ball.
“I think my game is conducive to playing well. I feel like I can do a role at the top. I’m at the top, but it’s not that true opening batter, if that makes sense,” he said.
Head added that he understands the challenges involved and accepts that mistakes will come with the role.
“I know that I’ve still got to work continuously hard at the new ball. I know I’m going to make mistakes. That’s okay. I’m very comfortable with where my game’s at,” he said.
Head’s emergence as a Test opener has capped a remarkable 2025/26 international season in which he scored 1,437 runs across 30 matches in all three formats.
His consistency earned him the Allan Border Medal for a second successive year. He polled 153 votes to narrowly beat wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey, who finished with 152.
With his second consecutive win, Head became only the sixth cricketer to claim the prestigious award multiple times, joining Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Steven Smith and David Warner.
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