Australia's clutch batter Travis Head is unperturbed about the speculations around his batting position ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against India at home. Australia are still searching for a Test opener as Steve Smith will return to his old position no.4 with Cameron Green getting ruled out due to injury. Head is open to batting from the opening spot to no.9 according to what the team requires from him.
"I think it's going to be an old-fashioned bat off and I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone thinks over the next couple of weeks. From my side of things, I've got no favourite position. I've only got a position that is best for the team and what the team needs from me. I couldn't care less if I bat (anywhere) from one to seven, if I bat at nine, I don't care. I've said that in the past, I just want to play in the Australian cricket team and any position in the Australian cricket team you take," Head was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
Head has been batting at no.5. He starred with a match-winning 163 against India in the middle order against India in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23 final.
Head has opted out of the limited-overs series at home against Pakistan as he will be on paternity leave. The 30-year-old wants to spend his time with family rather than being on the road all the time.
"I'll probably make decisions in the future around family more, and what drives me to play is probably more my family and my teammates. I'm not really interested in the individual stuff or where my career might go to, aspirations from an individual perspective. I want to provide for my family, I want to play with my mates and I want to enjoy what I'm doing. I think I've done that really well over the last couple of years," the left-handed batter said.
"I still love playing cricket, I love playing Test cricket and I love playing for Australia and I'll continue to do that but … I think it's important to support the family as well. I've spent a lot of time away this year and a lot falls on Jess at home. It's a very busy schedule (for Australia) next year as well, so it's hugely important from a family side of things to spend some quality time. We won't get this time back," he added.
Contenders for opening spot
Meanwhile, Australia have a few candidates for the opening spot including 19-year-old Sam Konstas, Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft. They will be playing in the series against India A starting October 31.
