Travis Head will sit out the last two T20 internationals against India, choosing instead to tune up for the Ashes with a Sheffield Shield match for South Australia in Hobart next week.
The left-hander has not played first-class cricket since July’s trip to the Caribbean, and a modest white-ball stretch – top score 31 in eight knocks since his 142 in Durban – convinced both player and selectors that four days in the middle trump two short-form outings on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane. Head is earmarked for No.5 in the Ashes side, prized for the counter-punching that reshaped last winter’s series in India.
His decision means a rare gathering of Test names in the penultimate Shield round before the Gabba opener on 14 November. New South Wales will field Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc – both freed from the T20 squad earlier in the week – alongside Nathan Lyon. “The rhythm only really comes from bowling long spells,” Hazlewood noted recently, and NSW hope Victoria will provide enough resistance to give him exactly that.
Steven Smith, fresh from 118 at the Gabba, stays with NSW as well, while Victoria expect Scott Boland to return after a scheduled rest. Western Australia welcome Cameron Green, set to send down his first competitive overs since round one after a cautious build-up from a minor back strain.
Queensland face WA without Marnus Labuschagne – he is understood to want one more hit but may instead be wrapped in cotton wool – yet Matt Renshaw remains in the frame for an opening berth and will look to press his case.
Tasmania v South Australia is shaping as the headline fixture. Beyond Head, the visitors regain Alex Carey and could unleash Brendan Doggett, whose extra pace keeps him on standby for the Test squad. Beau Webster’s seam-spin versatility has already impressed the Tasmanian coaching staff; facing a near-Test attack should provide a timely gauge of his progress.
Away from the red-ball jostling, leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha has been released to play Monday’s One-Day Cup tie for NSW, continuing to shadow Adam Zampa as the senior wrist-spinner awaits the birth of his second child. Left-arm seamer Ben Dwarshuis, over a calf niggle, will link up with the national T20 squad for the two remaining fixtures.
The T20 series is level at 1-1 after India’s measured five-wicket chase in Hobart. Australia’s selectors are scheduled to confirm the Ashes squad later this week; performances over the next few days will be the final entries in the notebook.
