Adelaide, December 11, 2025 - Speculation is mounting over Australia's opening batting pair for the upcoming Adelaide Ashes Test, with Travis Head hinting at the possibility of continuing his partnership with fellow South Australian, Jake Weatherald. This potential move could see Usman Khawaja, who has been recovering from a back injury, either miss out on selection or bat in the middle order.
Head and Weatherald have formed a solid opening partnership in the first two Ashes Tests, averaging 63. Head stepped into the opener role after Khawaja sustained a back injury in Perth and retained his position for the Brisbane Test. Australia has won both games by massive margins in Perth and Brisbane and now would be keen to wrap up the series in the next match at Adelaide Oval.
Speaking on a recent podcast, Head alluded to the possibility of opening with Weatherald again in Adelaide. When discussing the reception he receives from the Adelaide crowd, Head said he misses walking out to bat alone, a role currently enjoyed by Alex Carey at number six. He then added, "If I am doing it this week again with Jake, we'll claim him as a South Australian… I think the crowd will be very pumped up to see both of us go out to bat".
Khawaja, who averages 65.60 in Adelaide, is pushing to prove his fitness. Despite Khawaja's strong record at the Adelaide Oval, Australia coach Andrew McDonald has suggested that Khawaja could bat in the middle order if required. McDonald has remained tight-lipped about the final team composition, stating, "We'll always ask ourselves what the best line-up is for that point in time". He acknowledged the success of the Head-Weatherald combination but emphasized that each Test presents a new challenge.
Travis Head has opened nine times for Australia, compiling 444 runs at 55.5, with a strike rate of 92.50. Weatherald made his first-class debut for South Australia in the 2015-16 Sheffield Shield season, under the captaincy of Travis Head.
The Australian squad for the third Test includes Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, and Beau Webster.
With Cummins returning to the team, the fast-bowling attack will likely be reshuffled, potentially seeing Michael Neser or Scott Boland make way. Nathan Lyon is also expected to be included in the team for the Adelaide Test.
The third Ashes Test begins on December 17 at the Adelaide Oval. Australia currently leads the series 2-0.
