5th Ashes Test to be played in Hobart under lights with a pink ball.
The Australian batter Travis Head beat COVID-19 without showing any symptoms but admitted that Usman Khawaja's remarkable comeback in the fourth Test against England has made it tough for him to regain his spot in the playing XI for the fifth and final Test of the ongoing Ashes 2021-22 in Hobart.
Head is feeling fine and ready to return to action for the final Ashes Test against England, starting on January 14 in Hobart. The left-hander has already joined the Australia squad for the fourth Test and has spent time facing the pink ball in the nets at the SCG.
However, Khawaja's twin hundreds on his comeback after two and a half years in the fourth Test at the SCG has put pressure on Australia's top order, with captain Pat Cummins admitting that the in-form batter should be retained for the final Ashes Test against England in Hobart.
Well, Head is expected to return at No.5 after averaging 62 in the Ashes series before contracting the coronavirus, as Marcus Harris is likely to make way for Khawaja in Australia’s playing XI after failing to put up an impressive score in the ongoing five-match Test series at home.
Read Also: Ashes 2021-22: Pretty hard to drop in-form Usman Khawaja for final Test- Pat Cummins
However, Head was unsure whether he'd get his spot back in Australia's playing XI for the final Ashes Test against England in Hobart after Khawaja grabbed his opportunity with both hands in Sydney.
Head said: “We'll wait and see. I think he (Khawaja) played beautifully. We know he is versatile and the way he can play. If there was a spot open in the side that he would take that opportunity. He's taken it with both hands, he's been amazing. There are going to be some tough decisions. Those conversations haven't been had yet.”
Meanwhile, Head insisted that Harris, who has managed only one half-century in the ongoing Ashes series so far and scored only 38 and 27 in the fourth Test, isn’t under pressure to retain his spot.
He signed off by saying, “He's playing for Australia, doing a job. He was fantastic in Melbourne, played a huge role in us winning the game. He will be disappointed he didn't get runs in this game and had a great opportunity.”
(With Reuters Inputs)