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Big gamble: Why Aussies could be wary about Head opening
SEN • November 28th, 2025 1:25 pm
Veteran cricket journalist Robert Craddock is hearing the decision around Australia’s opening combination for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane is a ‘really tight call’.
While Usman Khawaja and Jake Weatherald were picked to open together in the first Test victory in Perth, the duo is yet to bat together as the veteran didn’t open in both innings due to back spasms.
Marnus Labuschagne took the reins in the first innings before going cheaply, before Travis Head gave selectors something to really think about by winning the game as an opener in the second, scoring a blistering 123 from just 89 balls.
With Head clearly happy to open the batting, selectors will now decide whether to stick with the out-of-form 38-year-old, who struggled with injury in Perth, or go with their real x-factor weapon at the top instead of No. 5.
Even though the South Australian put forward an incredible case to open, Craddock thinks that Khawaja could still hold on due to his record at the Gabba, given Head can just slide back to his usual position.
“I’m hearing that it's a really tight call,” Craddock told SENQ Breakfast.
“Usman is coming towards the end. This will be his last season.
“He averages 50 at the Gabba in first-class cricket; it's his home ground for Queensland.
“He averages 37 (at the Gabba) in Tests, which is not great but passable. So, he may just hang on and be returned to the team.
“If the back injury keeps him out of the team, that will probably be the end of him, but if he is passed fit from the back injury, I think he might just sneak into the team.”
As well as questions over Khawaja’s form and fitness, Craddock questioned whether Australia would want to gamble with putting their most exciting batting weapon in perhaps the hardest position to make runs.
“Everyone's saying, ‘Travis Head killed it as an opener, leave him there’,” Craddock added.
“But here's the thing, it's a big gamble putting Head as an opener, because if he starts nicking the ball, then he becomes the eighth choice since David Warner retired to fail.
“You also then miss him in the middle order, so I don't mind the thought of returning with Khawaja.
“But you have to say it's a very, very tight call.”
The second Test between Australia and England at the Gabba begins on December 4. Listen to every ball LIVE on SEN – your home of cricket.
