Travis Head has been released from Australia's T20 International squad for the final two matches against India, prioritizing red-ball preparation for the upcoming Ashes series. The 31-year-old left-hander will join South Australia to play against Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield, starting November 10. The first Ashes Test against England begins on November 21 in Perth.

Head is the third Australian player to opt-out of the T20I series to focus on প্রস্তুতি for the five-Test Ashes campaign. Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott are the other two, and they will participate in a match between New South Wales and Victoria at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

According to cricket.com.au, selectors allowed Head to choose between playing in the Sheffield Shield or the final two T20Is against India. Head chose to play in the domestic competition. Every member of Australia’s likely squad for the first Ashes Test is expected to participate in the next round of the Sheffield Shield.

Head had a relatively poor performance in recent white-ball cricket, with a top score of 31 in eight innings across T20Is and ODIs, although he scored 142 against South Africa in August. He will now switch gears to red-ball cricket, playing his first first-class match since the tour of West Indies in July. He had previously played in the Sheffield Shield before last summer’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, where he was the leading run-scorer.

The five-match T20I series between India and Australia is currently tied 1-1. The remaining matches will be held at Carrara on November 6 and Brisbane on November 8. Ben Dwarshuis is expected to join the team, potentially leading the bowling attack with Nathan Ellis, while Tanveer Sangha will rejoin the team before the fourth T20I.