Steven Smith was still catching his breath in the wake of Australia’s eight-wicket win in Perth when the obvious question landed: has Travis Head just claimed a permanent spot as Ashes opener? Head’s 123 from 83 balls – a rollicking hundred made in only 69 deliveries – dragged the hosts to their target in a blur, yet the stand-in captain was in no rush to redraw the batting order.
“Let’s just digest this first, the last couple of hours have been pretty incredible,” Smith said. “It’s probably too early to say anything on that, but what we just witnessed was quite incredible. I’m glad to have been in the house to see it.”
The context matters. Head was only elevated because Usman Khawaja, 38, suffered back spasms on day one, spent time off the field and therefore could not resume his normal duties at the top. Marnus Labuschagne tried the role in the first innings – an experiment Smith admitted “we didn’t like” – so Head volunteered and produced one of the more startling Ashes counter-attacks in recent memory.
“We didn’t like how things functioned in the first innings with Marn going up top and me batting three. So Trav took it on and played one of the great Ashes knocks,” Smith said.
For all the talk of generational change, Australia’s opening partnership has looked fragile. Jake Weatherald managed 0 and 23 on debut, Khawaja’s back tightened at the worst moment, and no-one yet knows who will front up at Brisbane next week. Smith made it clear the conversation would continue behind closed doors, once the adrenaline wears off.
Khawaja’s condition
Khawaja left the field midway through England’s second innings when the spasms returned, the latest flare-up in an issue first felt on day one. “He was reasonable this morning. I actually thought it was his knee at one point,” Smith revealed. “Fortunately, it was the same thing [back spasms]. He [Khawaja] said before that it’s probably one of the best back spasms he’s ever had given the circumstances [of Head’s century].”
The timing caused administrative headaches. Because the opener was off the park for treatment, cricket’s playing conditions ruled him out of opening in Australia’s chase; he eventually batted at No. 4 and was bowled for two. Smith admitted frustration. “Wasn’t ideal, it all happened pretty quickly,” he said. “I got told, I think just before we got the last wicket… that he needed to be on the field to go and bat. I think that’s why we landed where we landed yesterday [with Labuschagne opening]. Today we had a little bit more time to go through it and work it out. I mean, those things can happen in the game. No one’s fault. Move on.”
Golf debate and player welfare
Khawaja’s pre-match round of golf, highlighted by Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg as routine, became a talking-point once his back seized. Smith backed his senior team-mate. “He’s not moving particularly well in there, the old fella, but his preparation was the same as it’s been for every Test match I think that he’s played,” the skipper said. “There was nothing out of whack there by any stretch. Unfortunately, he just pulled up a bit lame early in the game. That happens when your back goes. I’ve been there myself when your back seizes up and it’s not a nice place to be. So I can feel his pain right now.”
Eyes on Cummins and Brisbane
Attention now shifts to Brisbane, where Australia hope to welcome Pat Cummins back after a precautionary rest. Bowling coach Dan Vettori suggested the captain was “tracking nicely”, though final confirmation will wait until the squad regroups. If Cummins returns, Smith will happily hand back the reins; if not, another shuffle may await both the attack and the batting line-up.
Nathan Lyon, meanwhile, barely featured in seam-friendly conditions, sending down only two overs across the match. The off-spinner joked afterwards he had “the best seat in the house” but remains central to Australia’s longer-term planning, especially on a Gabba surface likely to offer more grip.
Where does all this leave Head? The left-hander’s confidence is soaring, yet he knows selection can be fickle. Unlike the whirlwind century, decisions over opening roles tend to unfold at a slower pace – and, as Smith reminded everyone, there is plenty still to digest.
