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.”
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Might need a couple of openers. Warner's form is non existent
Rohan
Roar Rookie
Marnus should open, and captain. He’ll be doing it in practice (will be in in the first 10 overs at least 70%) anyhow, may as well make it official.
Tom
Broad getting Warner with the Dukes ball in England is far from the same thing we will see here with the kookaburra on flat decks. Warner averages 60 odd facing Broad in Australia… England’s only hope is Root having a series like Smith did in England.
Tom
Harris actually scoring mountains of runs opening at Shield level and also averaging 54 over in England for Leicestershire is why I would be giving him the first crack, I wouldn’t be thrilled about him playing but he is probably the only option if Pucovski doesn’t play, unless an opener belts the door down in the shield over the next month. Harris’s rope is very short though, last chance saloon
Cheika_Mate
Roar Rookie
What’s going on with Will Pucovski. Have we lost our ability to coach. 23 years of age with 10 head knocks, with the latest occurring in the nets facing throw downs. Now throw downs you’d expect a typical speed of 100 to 120 km not 130 plus he would face out in the centre. Some one has to sort out this guys technique out or he may have to retire. Just scary with what’s happening to this guy. And talking about scary Michael Clarke list of alternatives. Head, another one who seriously needs some help to many flaws in his batting technique, Harris, how many chances do you keep giving this guy, a little like Head keeps getting out the same way and then there’s Usman who for reasons unknown has not kicked on. If these are our best options & if the Puc is out, we could be in trouble. And let’s not forget Broad has a new bunny in Warner, so this series maybe closer than people think.
HR
Roar Rookie
True. But Harris is older and his test average is not good. Head at least averages nearly 40 in tests, while Harris' drops into the low 20s. And part of that is certainly where they bat, but I don't see Harris as necessarily better-equipped to open.
Tom
Both ordinary.
HR
Roar Rookie
Worse than Harris and his horribly loose technique outside off?
Tom
Head opening the batting with that horribly loose technique outside off? God help us if selectors pay any attention to what Clarke has to say
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Why isn't Head already busy batting at 5?
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
I just replied to myself when I meant to reply to you Dave.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
So 10 times altogether between 20 and 49 ? Yeah my perception is certainly that he doesn't cash in when getting in that 20-49 range. Definitely needs more scores in the 60 to 140 range I feel.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
I count six. Not sure whether this is as much a problem as not enough big ones. Mind you, watching the highlights of his Marsh Cup 200+ he is sure seeing them well and striking beautifully.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
How many times in the 20s and 40s?
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Out in the 30s four times in 31 innings, but hey. I know, not enough big ones. But I wasn’t the one arguing that his average is poor.
Clear as mud
Guest
You’re thinking of Wade…. Harris… S Marsh… peculiar Australian disease, really
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Head averages 39 because he constantly gets to 39 and then gets himself out.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Big vague as to what he thinks of Harris. Doesn’t rule him out but presumably not keen. I would have thought Khawaja worth looking at ahead of Harris, but unsure. This article deals in some odd logic re Head. “his Test career to date has been underwhelming, averaging 39.75 from 19 matches.” Which is better than Ben Stokes’s career average and everyone but Root on the England team.” Clarke: “ If they leave some grass on them, and [James] Anderson and [Stuart] Broad come into their own, it doesn’t matter who opens.” OK, so why don’t we just pick six bowlers and four middle order batsmen. “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.” Talk about comparing apples and oranges, especially for opening in Tests.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
I'm not sure how Marcus Harris is a so-called incumbent when he has had two tests for non-performances. Also, there is only one of each of Travis Head and Usman Khawaja.