Ian Chappell warns Australia not to use Travis Head as opener in Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Ian Chappell and Travis Head. (Source – Getty Images)

Former cricketer Ian Chappell advised Australia not to use Travis Head as an opener in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting November 22. After David Warner retired from Test cricket, Steve Smith was promoted as an opener but the veteran batter could not impress and since then, there have been talks of trying a new opening combination against India. Head, who has tremendous records against the Rohit Sharma-led side has been at the forefront of all discussions but according to Chappell, that isn’t a wise move.

Chappell noted that Head’s ultra-aggressive approach helped the team in ODIs and T20Is but reminded them that Test cricket is very different. The 81-year-old believes that if Head ends up opening, it would be due to Australia’s change in plan, in which, they would like to play aggressively right from the start but Chappell has his doubts if the move would be successful against the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

“Head opening in Test cricket is based on his unbridled success facing the new ball in both 50-over and T20 cricket. There’s no doubt Head, with his ultra-aggressive style, is the ideal player to open in the two short forms of the game. However, Test cricket is an entirely different proposition,” Chappell wrote in his column on ESPNCricinfo.

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“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,” he added.

He further explained that Head could prove valuable if there are already runs on board. He believes it would help the cricketer settle fast and play without much pressure against the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin. However, he also stated that even the Indian off-spinner will not be panicking if Head plays aggressively.

“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 utilize the offspinner with a newish ball,” Chappell said.

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