That is the question that is dodging Cricket Australia for awhile now. Will it be Steve Smith who will open the batting or will it be Travis Head who will open the batting? It is a question that they are trying desperately to answer. The retirement of David Warner, has left a void at the top of the order. It is a surprise that other regular openers like Matt Renshaw or Cameron Bancroft are not even considered. Steve Smith, took it upon himself to open the innings last year but was a complete misfit at the top. Will Australia run the same risk against India? There are 3 major batsmen in Australia in the form of Khwaja, Smith and Head, two of them India’s nemesis. Head has settled quite nicely in the middle-order with some flamboyant innings. Would he want to jeopardise that? Will he or won’t he?
Ian Chappell, the much respected Australian voice, has termed the prospect of Head opening the innings as a desperate ploy. He is of the opinion that the stronger Indian bowling attack will be able to prevail over Head.
“Any move to open with Head that is designed to unsettle Jasprit Bumrah is asking a lot of the batter. Bumrah, and to a lesser extent Mohammad Siraj, are unlikely to be battered into altering their attacking mentality.
As well as fine fast bowlers, Head is also vulnerable against good offspin bowling. The wily R Ashwin is unlikely to be panicked by an opponent’s ultra-aggressive approach. The argument could be mounted that opening with Head means he’d be more settled facing Ashwin with some runs on the board. On the other hand, a smart opposing captain can utilise the offspinner with a newish ball.”
Head and his success and India
I think that Head as the opener against India will be a gamble. Sure, Head has a lot of success against India. The famous hundred in WTC finals which tilted the game in favour of Australia is a case in point. One more hundred in the ODI World Cup Final, he has become a thorn in the flesh for India. He has been extremely successful at number 5. The belligerent hundreds that propelled Australia’s score to incredible proportions, Australia will not want to miss out on that. Ofcourse, there isn’t any proof to the alternative that he will not succeed as an opener. For all we know, he may well continue with his aggressive ways at the top. It could to be the ideal foil for Khawaja.
Will Australia want to take that chance? They now possess Mitchell Marsh is who equally capable of providing the same innings as that of Head. Would that prompt Cummins to try Head at the top? Marsh for all we know has been inconsistent. The fact that he scored runs in Australia last year, is not a guarantee that he will continue to do so. The absence of Cameroon Green must also be taken into account because Marsh will be expected to bowl that many overs. Green may play as a pure batsman and Marsh because of his past injuries, may not bowl that many overs. It greatly diminishes their capabilities as allrounders.
Former Australian captain Tim Paine was asked about Smith as an opener. He replied candidly: “As an opposition player I want him at the top of the order because that gives me the best chance of getting him out.” The same logic applies to Head as an opener in Test cricket.
Smith the other choice
Which leaves with Smith, who has been incredibly prolific against India, to continue to open. However, all his success has come at number 4. At the top, he has proved that he is not that effective. Would Australia want to continue to trust Smith at the top?
It is amazing that Australia who is usually a settled side, is now struggling with an opener to partner Khawaja. This is unheard of. They usually have every spot covered with multiple choices but it is unbelievable that they are not able to find an opener who can open in their own country.
Wrapping up will he or won’t he
I think that neither Head nor Smith will open when India will be in town. It will boil down to one of Renshaw or Brancroft or it could be someone from outside. The chances of opening with Smith or Head and thereby risk the entire game is slim.