Perth, Australia

Australia seems to have run out of options to replace David Warner at the top, especially in Tests, and with the Border-Gavaskar series looming, they are exploring all options available, including replacing Steve Smith with Travis Head. However, the former Australia captain and batting great, Ian Chappell, feels it’s either an extremely desperate ploy or an extraordinarily adventurous move.

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Following Warner’s retirement earlier this year, Test giant Steve Smith volunteered to open despite selectors looking for options like Cameron Bancroft, Matthew Renshaw and Marcus Harris. That ploy, however, didn’t pay dividends as Smith fared average against the new ball in limited outings. 

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With consensus building on the subject, pundits say Smith must return to bat at his usual position at number four, where he scored the bulk of the runs in his career, averaging above 60. Australia would need someone to replace him at the top, with talks of Travis Head being the right man for that position underway.

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Although Head has been a star batter for Australia for the past two years, scoring heaps of runs while opening in the shorter formats, he is yet to prove his mettle at the same position in Tests – a format that Chappell calls ‘very different’ from ODIs and T20Is. 

“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.”

“Head's promotion to open in Test cricket should be seen as either an extremely desperate ploy or an extraordinarily adventurous move,” Chappell wrote in his column for ESPNcricinfo.

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Head might struggle against Bumrah

Head has won his battles against some top bowlers worldwide, including Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami, but despite that, he is unlikely to bluff their bowlers, given what they bring to the table, Chappell feels. 

“One big flaw in the argument for Head to open in Test cricket is the opposition he'll face. If it were a lesser opponent, it might have some merit but a strong Indian attack will be hard to bluff.”

“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.”

“As well as fine fast bowlers, Head is also vulnerable against good off-spin bowling. 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 utilise the off-spinner with a newish ball,” he continued. 

The Optus Stadium in Perth will host the first Test starting November 22. 

(With inputs from agencies)