Despite Australia winning the first Test of Ashes 2023, there are a few concerns for the Pat Cummins-led side heading into the second Test. One of them is the form of their star opener, David Warner. The southpaw who’s been going through a rough period in Test cricket has just one fifty-plus score in the last 19 innings.
The opener was dismissed for nine in the first innings but was looking in good touch in the second innings before getting dismissed on 36. With Warner out of form, there have been some discussions regarding promoting Travis Head to the opening slot. However, former legendary Australia cricketer, David Boon, thinks otherwise about the idea as he feels that it will be quite difficult for Head to make the change.
"There are a lot of different ways that you can look at it. If I was looking at it, I think Warner is still going to open. He looked better in the second innings, more in control and Travis Head has been going so well where he is batting. I would find it difficult to change that,” Boon was quoted as saying by podcast SEN Tassie.
Further talking about Head, Boon said that the batter should continue batting in the middle order as he’s had a successful 18 months batting in that position.
"I believe if you are going to make a change, make it somewhere else and leave Travis where he is. He has now had at least 18 months of exceptional cricket under his belt, with a number of hundreds and playing aggressively as well. So I personally wouldn't change that,” he added.
Head has been in sensational form for Australia since 2021
Notably, Head has accumulated 1455 runs at an average of 53.88 in the 19 Tests he has played since 2021. He was recently awarded Player of the Match in the World Test Championship Final 2023 for his magnificent innings of 163 (174) that helped Australia beat India by 209 runs and complete their trophy cabinet with every ICC trophy. Head further scored a brilliant half-century in the first innings of the first Ashes Test.
It will be interesting to see how Warner fares going ahead in the series as he faces his old nemesis Stuart Broad who has dismissed him 15 times in Tests. Meanwhile, Australia will be eager to go 2-0 up in the series by winning the second Test beginning on Wednesday, June 28, at Lord’s in London.
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