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Travis Head Eyes Opening Role in Sri Lanka Tests

Australia's national selection chair, George Bailey, has highlighted middle-order batsman Travis Head as a strong candidate to open the batting in the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, starting January 29. The 16-man squad for the tour features promising young talent Sam Konstas, who made a significant impact in his Test debut against India with an aggressive batting style, achieving a strike-rate of 81 in the final two matches of the Border-Gavaskar series. His adaptability and game awareness are seen as beneficial for the challenging conditions in Sri Lanka.

Head has previously excelled as an opener in India, accumulating 223 runs at an impressive average of 55.75 earlier this year. His experience and performance make him a viable option for the opening slot once again. The squad also includes uncapped players like 21-year-old allrounder Cooper Connolly and returning batter Nathan McSweeney. Notably absent from the squad are seasoned allrounders Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell, while Josh Hazlewood is out due to injury concerns.

Steve Smith will captain the team in the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins, who is on paternity leave and dealing with an ankle injury. The Tests are scheduled to take place at Galle on January 29 and February 6, with the Australian team set to prepare in Dubai prior to the series. The squad is rich in spin options, featuring Todd Murphy, Matthew Kuhnemann, and Beau Webster, who can also provide seam-bowling support. Webster's debut performance against India, where he scored 57 and 39 not out, along with a wicket and two catches, adds depth and flexibility to the lineup.

Meanwhile, Glenn Maxwell showcased his skills in the Big Bash League, helping the Melbourne Stars secure a 16-run victory over the Sydney Sixers with an unbeaten 58 and two crucial catches. Despite his recent form, Maxwell's aspirations for a Test return seem to have diminished. The Melbourne Stars are still in contention for the BBL finals, needing to win their remaining matches while hoping for favorable outcomes in other games. Maxwell also reached a milestone, becoming the fifth player in BBL history to surpass 3000 career runs during the match.

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