After recently losing the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa at Lord's, Australia have embarked on a tour to the Caribbean where they will be featuring in a three-match Test series and five-match T20I series against West Indies. The Test series between the two sides is set to commence from June 25 with the first match set to be played at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.
However, the Baggy Greens were handed a major blow even before the commencement of the assignment with Steve Smith getting ruled out of the first Test due to a finger injury that he sustained during the WTC final. Another player who wasn't included in the squad for the first Test is Marnus Labuschagne, who was dropped following a poor run of batting performances in the format.
Head gave a confident remark on Australia's batting order
Despite being without the services of both Smith and Labuschagne, Travis Head believes that their batting order is 'prepared for anything' as they begin their new WTC cycle with the clash in Barbados.
"I think we're prepared for anything, really, and prepared for maybe both [seam and spin] in the same game. We could be starting the game and then it could shift into different modes and plans of attack. So, as a batter, you're just sort of planning for anything at the moment. And then once you get a look at the lay of the land, come up with a plan, and try to cover all bases," Head said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
The Australia vice-captain is optimistic about the batting order that will have a 'new look' in the first Test against the West Indies.
“When we get into the game, it’ll be a little bit new look. But guys have already played, so (they have) experience already in a short amount of Test cricket. There’s some guys there that have been a part of the group for a long time now, so it shouldn’t feel too much different," Head added.
19-year-old Sam Konstas, who impressed in the Test series against India and Josh Inglis have been given the nod instead of Labuschagne and Smith. The two of them will most likely form the top three in the batting order alongside veteran Usman Khawaja. Head may also get moved up the order to the No.4 position in Smith's absence.
Following the first Test at Barbados, the action will move to the Grenada National Cricket Stadium in St. George's for the second match and the series finale will be contested at Sabina Park in Jamaica.