In a major turn of events, there are indications that Australia’s leading batsman, Travis Head, will not participate in the last two T20 matches against India as he wants to concentrate on the preparation for the Ashes. It seems that Head will emulate Josh Hazlewood, who will also not be included in Australia’s squad for the 4th and 5th T20I.
A piece of news from CodeSports indicated that the Ashes series is just a month away, and the players are aiming to get their respective lights-up and warm-ups going as soon as possible. Importantly, England will visit Australia for a five-match Test series that starts on November 21.
Matthew Short is Tipped to be Travis Head’s Replacement
If Head is, indeed, absent for the last two T20Is, the consensus is that Matthew Short will be elevated in the batting order to form an opening partnership with none other than skipper Mitchell Marsh.
It is worth mentioning that Head has been struggling with his form as the left-hander has scored a mere 93 runs across four innings in this combined-format series against India. Conversely, it is the other way round with Short, who has been a consistent performer as the 29-year-old has accumulated 112 runs in three ODIs, albeit he was out for a golden duck in the opening T20I.
Head now is among the list of players who are preparing for the Ashes earlier than usual.
Cricket Australia is firm on claiming the Ashes, and players are also treating this matter seriously. Travis Head has become the latest player to favour the Test format, but before him, Hazlewood made himself available for the T20Is up to the second match only.
Moreover, Australia coach, Andrew McDonald, in a similar move, after the first ODI directed his attention to the Ashes and held discussions with Steve Smith and Pat Cummins. Besides Australia, England are also treading the same path as Jofra Archer skipped the first ODI against New Zealand to concentrate on his workload management for the Ashes.
