Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has urged the Australian team management to maintain the batting order that clinched the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home, advocating for Travis Head to remain in the middle order and youngster Sam Konstas to open alongside Usman Khawaja during the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. The two-match Test series begins on January 29 in Galle.

With Australia having already secured a spot in the ICC World Test Championship final against South Africa, the team approaches the Sri Lanka tour in a relaxed frame of mind. However, reports suggest that the Australian selectors are contemplating a change in the batting lineup to adapt to Sri Lanka’s spin-friendly conditions, potentially moving Head to the opening slot, which would exclude Konstas from the playing XI.

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Clarke, however, disagrees with this potential shuffle. “I don’t think we need too much change in terms of structure. We’ve just come off a win. Conditions are very different, but Trav [Travis Head] has been extraordinary through the middle order,” Clarke told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Clarke is keen on giving Konstas, who made an impressive debut during the Boxing Day Test by fearlessly taking on Jasprit Bumrah, an opportunity to continue as an opener. He called Konstas an “enormous talent” and emphasized the importance of nurturing young players by surrounding them with experienced teammates. “You learn so many things by having good senior players around you. Sam is one of the examples where he is lucky to have these senior players around him,” Clarke added.

Clarke also highlighted the importance of acclimating to spin, regardless of batting position, as a key factor for success in Sri Lanka. He expects Sri Lanka to heavily rely on spin, possibly fielding just one pacer. “I’d be surprised if Sri Lanka plays more than two pacers. It’s very different to anywhere else in the world,” he noted.

A significant boost for Australia is the return of Steve Smith, who has been recovering from a minor elbow injury. Smith, named captain for the series in the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins (who is on paternity leave), is expected to play a crucial role in navigating Sri Lanka’s spinners. “He is so important for us over there in those conditions with the way he plays spin and his knowledge of the game,” Clarke said about Smith.

Reflecting on his recent induction into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame as its 64th member, Clarke expressed his gratitude. “Cricket started as a six-year-old boy for me. I retired at 34, so it was my life. It is still a part of my life. It’s definitely special for me, but I think it is just as special for your family,” he said.

Also See: Australia Cricket Schedule | Sri Lanka Cricket Schedule

Australia Squad: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Travis Head (vc), Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster –

Sri Lanka Test series v Australia Schedule: