SL vs AUS 2025: Travis Head to replace Sam Konstas as opener against Sri Lanka

Australia's stand-in captain Steve Smith has confirmed that Travis Head will take Sam Konstas' opening slot during the impending Test series against Sri Lanka. Konstas made an impressive start to his international career, scoring a whirlwind half-century in his maiden innings against India on Boxing Day in the Border-Gavaskar series. However, the heroics were not enough to help him cement his place at the top of the order.

Smith, however, did not rule out finding a place for Konstas elsewhere in the order for the match that begins in Galle on Wednesday, January 29, with a vacancy now open at No. 5.

Head fared commendably as an opener during Australia's tour of India in 2023. He scored 223 runs from four innings as an opener at an average of 55.75. This helped him seal a spot at the top of the order along with Usman Khawaja.

"He did really nicely in India against the new ball. He put spinners under pressure immediately and we know how well he hits the seam as well if they come with that. It's going to be good fun watching him," Smith said on the eve of the match.

The legendary right-handed batter is aware of the challenges his team is going to face in Sri Lanka, with spinners expected to rule the roost.

"Just playing what's in front of us, it's quite different to back home on the surfaces we've been playing on there where it's very pace dominant. We'd imagine this is going to be quite spin dominant," Smith stated.

Also Check: Sri Lanka vs Australia 2025: Match Preview, 1st Test

Meanwhile, with Head moving to the top of the order, Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Cooper Connolly and Josh Inglis appear to be the contenders to grab the No. 5 position in the batting order. Smith did not reveal too many details about the possible playing XI that Australia could assemble for the first Test. The veteran said that the team would be decided only after taking another look at the wicket.

"We'll have another look at the wicket and from there we'll name the team at the toss. We've got all the options available to us. We'll see how we go," Smith said.