Ashes 2025-26: ‘Batting orders are slightly overrated’ - Travis Head echoes Pat Cummins on flexible batting roles

Travis Head is one of the most versatile modern-day batters, equally destructive whether opening the innings or operating in the middle order, where he usually features. Showcasing his adaptability once again, the left-hander produced a batting masterclass in Perth, smashing an 83-ball 123 in the first Ashes Test to set up Australia’s victory.

Reflecting on the debate around batting positions, Head suggested that the importance of fixed batting orders is often overstated. His thoughts aligned with those of skipper Pat Cummins, who also mentioned last month that batting order is overrated. Head believes that with the depth and flexibility in Australia’s lineup, the focus should be on deploying players in roles that best serve the team’s chances of winning rather than strictly adhering to set positions.

"I think you could use this order and these players in a range of different ways, and whatever way that is (needed) to win games of cricket. I agree with Pat that (batting orders) are slightly overrated. The traditionalists will say that that's how it's got to be [on batting orders] but this is where the game's going - when to use that and when's the right time?. We're going to have good moments of it; we're going to have bad moments of it. But it's ever-evolving,” said Head as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Head explained that the flexibility to alter the batting order based on personnel and match situations has been discussed within the team for a long time, with the ultimate goal of giving Australia the best chance to win. He added that opening the second innings at the Optus Stadium was a strategic move England did not anticipate, but it was a role he was eager to take on.

"We've thrown out scenarios a fair bit over the last few years. We've talked about that a lot - how do you get there, and what personnel do you have to be able to potentially do that, and the personalities in the line-up. It's just trying to work it out in game and in moments when that may come out and when you may use that,” said Head.

"I'm very lucky to have done it (opening) a fair bit in international cricket already. I know it's white-ball cricket, but it's still a 10-20 minute changeover from going to fielding to batting, and I've done that quite regularly. I thought that my first 30 balls were really sound, and then when their game plan shifted, my mindset shifted as well. I was very calm in the situation,” he added.

Head produced a miraculous innings on the second day, leaving the cricketing world in awe as he counterattacked the English bowlers on a challenging Perth surface. Although he had previously opened for Australia in Test cricket, eight times in the subcontinent, this was the first occasion he walked out at the top of the order in home conditions, stepping in after Usman Khawaja was unable to bat.

"I feel like I can play any role, so I'm open to (opening). I was pretty keen to do it (open), so my mind was sort of switched on from (England being) six, seven or eight down when it was declared that (Khawaja) probably won't be able to get back out in the field. It's all about risk evaluation and where you may lose your wicket... I've always tried to work percentages in my favour,” said Head.

Australia have played three pink-ball day-night Tests at the Gabba, winning two of them, with their sole defeat coming against the West Indies in January 2024. Meanwhile, they have featured in eight day-night encounters in Adelaide and emerged victorious in all of them. Backing the format, Head dismissed Joe Root’s recent suggestion that the Ashes did not require a day-night Test.

"I think the balls probably react a little bit differently on the wicket here compared to Adelaide, but we've played a couple (of Tests) here, and it's been a good venue for it. It's sold out for four days here... we've embraced it. We've been able to put out a good product. We've been able to play really, really well with it,” said Head.

"Does (the Ashes) need it, does it not? It's a great spectacle. We're going to have huge crowds again. If you win, you think it's great, and if you lose, maybe not. Both teams will have differing opinions by the end of it," he concluded.