Former Australian opener David Warner has voiced his strong support for Usman Khawaja to regain his place for the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, suggesting Khawaja’s return to the top, with Travis Head moving back to No.5, would maximize Australia’s chances against England. Warners’ comments come as the selectors face a crucial decision ahead of the match where Australia could retain the Ashes on home soil.
Khawaja missed the previous Test in Perth due to back spasmsprompting Travis Head and Jake Weatherald to step in as openers. The makeshift duo produced two solid opening partnerships that offered new momentum to the selectors. However, Warner feels that the impact of the heads can be best used in the middle order and Khawajas experience is vital at the top. “I think Uzzy (Usman Khawaja) comes back, he slips at the top and Trav (Travis Head) goes down. That’s probably a worse result for England, Travis Head comes back down the order,” Warner told reporters, according to ICC.
Travis Head’s 5th place record is remarkable. He averages 41.46 in the position, with eight of his ten Test centuries coming from the middle order, including three at Adelaide Oval.
Warner highlighted Head’s adaptability and willingness to step in when needed, but also noted that Head prefers to bat at No.5. “At the end of the day, Travis put his hand up to bat in the situation he was in. He went out and hit the ball like Travis Head does.. You see a lot of interviews from Trav saying that’s Uzzy’s place, and if they ask him to move up the order, he wouldn’t mind,” added Warner.
Australia’s top order has experienced instability since Warner’s departure at the start of 2024, with Khawaja working with five different opening batsmen in just 15 Tests. The inconsistency has led the selectors to consider different options, but Warner believes the established order offers more security for critical matches.
Warner also acknowledged that Head could be a viable opener in the future once Khawaja leaves, but cautioned that such a move may not guarantee sustained success. Warner reflected on the development of Australia’s middle order and stressed the importance of keeping an aggressive batsman like Head at No.5.
“We didn’t have that aggressor down the middle order (in years past). Australia have that now too and going forward with whatever Uzzy decides to do, if he hangs them, they can look like that. But then it’s up to all of us to understand that it might not work and Travis will have to go back down the order. And then they’ll have to look for a former headache. The Australians will have to look for another replacement.
As Australia prepare for the third Test in Adelaide starting on December 17, the selectors’ decision on the opening combination could decide Usman Khawaja’s Test future.
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Issued by:
Rishabh Beniwal
Published on:
December 12, 2025
