Ashes 2025-26: 'Preparing for anything at this stage' - Travis Head expresses readiness to open in Brisbane

Travis Head has stated that he is ready to contribute at the top of the order if required in Brisbane Test of the ongoing Ashes. Head opened the batting in Australia's second innings in Perth and struck a blistering 123 off 83 to guide his team to victory.

The southpaw clarified that he will be happy to open the batting if the team management finds it necessary. He also said that he was not too occupied with such thoughts, stating that he has been enjoying some time off the field like the others in the team.

"I'm happy. If that's what is needed to win a Test match and if that's what's required then, yeah, I'm fine with it. I'm preparing for anything at this stage. There's a fair bit to work through. I've just got here. We haven't really had many conversations over the last week. It's been about just spending some time out of the game as much as you can. You don't get much time to chill out in a massive series like this, where it's pretty full-on every single day," stated Head, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

When asked about the same subject, head coach Andrew McDonald remarked that all the options are open. He also gave a reference of the change in strategies which have been taken inthe T20I lineup, and added that a similar and dynamic thought process will be considered for the Test side as well.

"We've talked about that a lot: how you get there, and what personnel we have to be able to potentially do that and the personalities in the line-up. You've seen it a little bit in the T20 team as well where we're trying to push the boundaries in power-hitting. All options are on the table and have been for a long period of time about where this team can potentially get better, and where there's opportunities to potentially win games of cricket in moments. It's always been on the table," noted McDonald.

Head has opened the batting on only nine instances in 103 innings in Tests so far. The second Test will be  a pink-ball affair, scheduled to commence on December 4 in Brisbane.