Will Travis Head continue to open the innings in 2nd Test? Ricky Ponting opens up

Ricky Ponting backed Travis Head to open permanently after his 69-ball century, saying, "I would absolutely love to see it." However, Ponting predicts the Australian selectors "won't pull the trigger" on the change and Khawaja will return if fit for the 2nd Ashes Test, despite his back injury creating the opening dilemma.

24 Nov 2025 16:02 IST

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Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has opened up on whether Travis Head should continue to open the innings in the second Test of the five-match series against England in the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 campaign.

Interestingly, opening batter Usman Khawaja missed out on opening in either of the innings after dealing with a back issue. Eventually, Steve Smith had opted for Head to open in the second innings, with 205 runs being the target in the Perth Test.

"The change for this Australian team has got to come at some stage, there's got to be a regeneration at some stage. Is that in the middle of an Ashes series? Maybe not. But if Travis does go up to the top they can then think about bringing Beau Webster back into the middle order or blooding a young kid down at No.6,” Ponting said on Channel 7 on Sunday.

"(Head) doesn’t have to open the play that way either, anywhere in the top three. The No.3 batsman has always been seen as being a counter-puncher - someone who can come out and be aggressive and change the momentum,” he added.

"He can do that regardless of what position he bats. Will it happen? I don’t think so. But, I would absolutely love to see it, as a fan. As a cricket fan, an Australian cricket fan, I would love to see them do it and see if we can actually break England early,” he concluded.

Interestingly, Head went on to score an exceptional century in the fourth innings during the 205-run chase, while the No.3 batter, Marnus Labuschagne, smacked a beautiful half-century as Australia chased down the target in only 28.2 overs to finish the game in two days.

Australia will next lock horns with England in the second Test, starting on Thursday, December 4, at The Gabba in Brisbane.

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