Head echoes Cummins' thoughts on 'overrated' batting orders

Travis Head is as versatile a batter as they get, being equally destructive at the top of the order or in the middle where he usually plays. Having pulled off a batting masterclass in Perth with an 83-ball 123 in the first Ashes Test to win the game, the southpaw has labelled batting orders "slightly overrated", echoing the sentiments of captain Pat Cummins who last month called it overrated. Rather, he believes that with the set of players the Australia have at their disposal, the batters should be used in a way to win cricket matches.

"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?," Head said. "We're going to have good moments of it; we're going to have bad moments of it. But it's ever-evolving."

Head said that these options to change batting orders based on personnel and situations have been on the table for a long period of time to try and win the game. "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," he said. "It's just trying to work it out in game and in moments when that may come out and when you may use that."

Head opening the second innings at the Optus Stadium was something England hadn't prepared for or expected, but it was something the left-hander was keen to do. "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."

Against the tiring English seamers, Head produced a miraculous innings that left the cricketing world awestruck on a difficult batting day. Head had opened for Australia even in Tests before, albeit only in the sub-continent in eight innings, but this was the first time he got a gig at the top after Usman Khawaja couldn't come out to bat.

"I feel like I can play in 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."

Australia have played three pink-ball day-night Test matches at the Gabba and have won two of the contests with the defeat coming against West Indies in January last year. They have been meanwhile, contested in eight day-nighters in Adelaide and have come out on the winning side in each one of them with Head backing the format amidst Joe Root questioning whether the Ashes required 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.

"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," Head concluded.

The second Ashes Test commences on December 4.