Australian star Travis Head brushes off talks of opening vs West Indies

Travis Head has brushed off suggestions he could open the batting against the West Indies as the new-look Australian side begins to take shape.

Fresh off a surprise loss against South Africa in the World Test Championship final, selectors have already confirmed two key changes for the first game in the Caribbean.

Marnus Labuschagne has been axed and Steve Smith is unavailable due to injury, which opens the door for both Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis to join the side.

While it’s expected Konstas will partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order, head coach Andrew McDonald floated the idea of Head moving up once again – similar to the Sri Lanka series earlier this year – depending on how the conditions look.

When quizzed about a potential reshuffle, Head said it would be unlikely – but did back the Aussies to be ready for anything the Windies or conditions throw at them.

Travis Head speaks to media in the West Indies Cricket Australia

“I don’t think so,” he told media on Monday morning (AEST).

“I think with Sam and Uz playing, it looks like that will be pretty likely.

“I’ve batted everywhere. I don’t see it being a conversation, we’ve talked about it so much and I’m still in the same position.

“I wouldn’t see that [moving to opener] being the case at the moment – but again, it’s a very mature and experienced group that if conditions moved in-game and we did need to win a game of cricket, I think anyone is possible to move around.

“It can always be open, whether it’s in Australia or in the sub-continent. We’re prepared for anything … once you get a look at the lay of the land, we come up with a plan.”

Head batted at No.5 against the Proteas but with Smith sidelined, there has already been plenty of debate surrounding who lines up where against the Windies.

The 31-year-old was also asked how the Aussies have regrouped in such a short period of time after the WTC decider and whether it would impact their preparations.

Head’s response is a telling insight into the camp.

“If I say it’s quite easy, everyone would think I don’t care – but it’s added motivation to go out there and play well,” he said.

“It’s unfortunate, we put two years of hard work into one week [against South Africa] and it didn’t quite go to plan … but if you dwell on it for too long or if you look back, you forget about what’s moving forward.

“As hard as that is, we play so much cricket and we’re used to that.

“Of course we care and it’s not ideal, but at the end of the day you can’t change it and you have to move on, get back on the horse and play good cricket.”

The first Test in Barbados will begin late on Thursday night (AEST).