Travis Head compared to Aussie cricket great after brilliant Ashes series – as calls increase for cult hero to open the batting permanently

Cricket legend Mike Hussey believes Travis Head can be Australia’s next David Warner as calls grow for the left-hander to remain atop the batting order.

Head plundered his third century and was named player of the match as Australia clinched a five-wicket win at the SCG to seal a 4-1 Ashes series victory on Thursday.

While the South Australian had previously opened in Tests on the subcontinent, he only shifted to the top at home after Usman Khawaja suffered a back injury ahead of the series opener in Perth.

But Head said during the fifth Test it was ‘probably likely’ he would remain there long-term – and his batting average in this summer’s Ashes (62.90) was his highest for any series in which he has played more than two Tests.

Head’s sparkling form comes after Australia used seven different opening partnerships across the two years that followed Warner’s retirement from red-ball cricket in early 2024.

Questions remain as to Head’s long-term partner will be following an unconvincing first Test series for Jake Weatherald, who averaged 22.33 across the five Tests.

Test legend Hussey sees resemblance between the fearless ball-striking of Head and Warner, who earlier in the series also endorsed Head to open permanently.

‘(Head) scored three hundreds in an Ashes series and played so well,’ Hussey said.

‘I guess it’s kind of like the same style of play as David Warner, so he can sort of take that role…and he’s doing it pretty well at the moment.

‘He looks like he’s enjoying it and wants to do the role. So why not I guess?’

At the close of play in the fifth Test, Australia’s stand-in captain Steve Smith also compared Head to his long-time former teammate Warner.

‘I think the way he’s just come out and put the pressure on the opposition from ball one has been incredible, similar to what Davey used to do,’ Smith said.

‘He puts you right under the pump. If you miss, it’s going to the fence.’

Australia are preparing for their busiest 12 months on record to begin in August, with up to 21 Tests on the cards starting with a two-match series against Bangladesh.

Hussey also warned there would inevitably be challenges for Head if he faced the new ball long term.

‘You’re going to go through some tough periods,’ the Fox Cricket commentator said.

‘(But) he finds a way in big games, like World Test Championship Finals, World Cup finals, Ashes series. He’s been amazing.’