Finch believes Head should play at 5 in the pink-ball Test while Clarke expects Usman Khawaja to be in the XI for Brisbane.
Finch: Head at No. 5 best fit for pink-ball Test.
Despite his barnstorming century opening in Perth, former Australia captain Aaron Finch thinks Travis Head is still best suited to bat at No. 5 in the day-night Test at the Gabba. Both Finch and Michael Clarke are certain that Nathan Lyon must play as the home team considers the best balance of side to face England following their devastating performance in the Ashes opening match.
Usman Khawaja’s position has come under scrutiny following Head’s outstanding century at the top, which led to his promotion. Khawaja also experienced more back spasms on the second day and was unable to take his usual spot in the first innings due to England collapsing so quickly that he was unable to make up enough time on the pitch.
Finch countered that putting Head in the middle was the preferred choice in this instance and stated that the pink-ball issue of the second Test provides another layer to how Australia may organise their team.
“If this wasn’t a pink-ball test match coming up at the Gabba, I would tend to agree and say, you know what, maybe it is time to throw him [Head] up there and you just launch into it from day one of a Test,” Finch told ESPN’s Around The Wicket.
“But I just feel as though the fact that it is a pink-ball test, the impact that that brand new ball can have and the impact that Travis Head can have batting at No. 5 when the pink ball does go a bit soft and the game can sort of, the wicket can flatten out. I like him at five still, just to be that real explosive player through the middle order.”
“I think he plays. I think if he’s fit, they give him another chance,” Clarke said. “I think a few days and Uzzie will be sweet. He hasn’t had this back problem that many times throughout his career, so I think he will be fit.”