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Former Australian Test captain Michael Clarke has endorsed a left-field option to replace Will Pucovski at the top of the order for the Ashes, after the young opener’s latest concussion setback put his series in jeopardy.
Speaking on Big Sports Breakfast, Clarke, who led Australia in three Ashes series, including a 5-0 whitewash in 2013-14, has suggested omitted middle-order batsman Travis Head as an option to join David Warner as opener should Pucovski be ruled out.
Another former Test regular in Usman Khawaja is also an option in Clarke’s eyes, as is incumbent Marcus Harris.
“Yes, Marcus Harris is definitely an option – but what about if you opened the batting with Travis Head, and keep a number five [batsman], whether that’s Matthew Wade or someone else?” Clarke said.
“Or bring Usman Khawaja back and let him open. They’re my three options.
“Someone like a Travis Head, or even an ‘Uzzy’, who really, is a number three or number four specialist… I reckon either of them could do it.”
>> READ: ‘Premonition of doom’: England reacts to Ashes squad reveal
Australia notably experimented with another middle-order batsman in Matthew Wade as an opener in last summer’s series loss to India, with Wade replacing injured David Warner to enable the selection of emerging all-rounder Cameron Green.
Khawaja hasn’t played a Test since being dropped during the 2019 Ashes series, losing his spot at number three in the batting order to Marnus Labuschagne. However, he has enjoyed success as an opener at the highest level, scoring two centuries, including a match-saving 141 against Pakistan in the UAE in 2018.
Head has never opened at Test level, though he did have a brief stint at the top of the order in ODI cricket midway through the 2010s.
But while his Test career to date has been underwhelming, averaging 39.75 from 19 matches with a penchant for loose shots, the South Australia Sheffield Shield captain has started the summer in red-hot form. He became the first Australian to score twin double-centuries in List A cricket with an extraordinary 127-ball 230 for the Redbacks on Wednesday.
>> WATCH: Travis Head makes a statement with absolute troppo innings
Travis Head (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Clarke believes the traditionally batsman-friendly pitches down under are ideally suited for Head to have a crack at revitalising his Test career.
“If the wickets are what they generally are in Australia, I think he’d [Head] be fine opening the batting,” Clarke said.
“The pitches are a lot more consistent, you don’t get as much sideways [movement].
“If they leave some grass on them, and [James] Anderson and [Stuart] Broad come into their own, it doesn’t matter who opens.”
Clarke was less confident about Pucovski’s chances of recovering in time for the Ashes, which is due to start on December 8 at the Gabba. The 23-year old’s latest concussion, sustained while facing throwdown in a nets session, is reportedly the tenth of his young career.
“I think Will’s going to struggle. There’s a massive risk, most importantly, for his health, to take him,” Clarke said.
“I thought he had to play every Shield game available, and have a cracker start where he’s just in good form, and most importantly is full of confidence. If he’s been hit like this doing throwdowns in the nets… man, I think there’s massive risks taking him onto that park to play at the highest level.”
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