Sam Konstas has been dropped from Australia’s lineup for their first Test in Sri Lanka, with Travis Head taking his place.
Konstas made his Test debut in the Boxing Day Test against India in Melbourne and the 19-year-old attracted attention for his audacious attacking shots against Jasprit Bumrah. He attempted a reverse scoop against the seamer in the third over, before successfully executing one in the seventh.
Travis Head replaces Sam Konstas in first Sri Lanka Test
However, Head will partner Usman Khawaja instead as selectors hope his spin-playing prowess is more suitable to open at Galle. Head averages 65.4 across four Tests in Sri Lanka while also boasting an average of 46.5 in India, where he replaced David Warner as opener halfway through the most recent series.
When opening, he averaged 55.8 in the remaining two-and-a-half Test matches, passing 30 in four out of five of his innings with a high score of 90. He also maintained his aggression at the top of the order, taking the fight to India’s spinners. Head will hope to continue this strong form in Asia against the likes of Prabath Jayasuriya and Nishan Peiris.
Australian captain Steve Smith told cricket.com.au: "Trav will go to the top, outside of that I think it will be pretty stable. I don't see it being a great deal of change from that.
"The selectors liked what they saw in India when he [Head] had that opportunity. He got after the new ball, scored quickly and put the pressure on them straight away so I guess similar thinking here."
