Travis Head said Monday Australia were experienced enough to cope as they prepare for their first Test without Steve Smith or Marnus Labuschagne since 2018.
Marnus Labuschagne will open for Australia in the World Test Championship final against South Africa, captain Pat Cummins announced Tuesday.
Travis Head's superb career-best 154 not out saw depleted world champions Australia to a seven-wicket win over England in the first one-day international at Trent Bridge on Thursday.
Smith got a rousing endorsement from teammate Marnus Labuschagne, who believes Smith would average in the 60s as an opener
At stumps, he was unbeaten on a glacial 44 off 120 balls and Travis Head was not out on nine after nearly three hours' play were lost to rain.
Labuschagne needed medical attention after being struck on the right hand by debutant Khurram Shahzad early in the second innings in Perth before top-edging the Pakistan quick to be out for two.
Marnus Labuschagne top-scored with 71 after Australia were invited to bat first at the world's biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.
More rain is forecast for Sunday's final day at Old Trafford and a draw would mean Australia, as the holders, retained the Ashes regardless of the result in the fifth and final Test at the Oval next week
Marnus Labuschagne said he holds himself to a "higher standard" after his struggles in the opening Ashes test and is looking to rediscover top form in time for the second match at Lord's.
Travis Head said Monday Australia were experienced enough to cope as they prepare for their first Test without Steve Smith or Marnus Labuschagne since 2018.
Marnus Labuschagne will open for Australia in the World Test Championship final against South Africa, captain Pat Cummins announced Tuesday.
Travis Head's superb career-best 154 not out saw depleted world champions Australia to a seven-wicket win over England in the first one-day international at Trent Bridge on Thursday.
Smith got a rousing endorsement from teammate Marnus Labuschagne, who believes Smith would average in the 60s as an opener
At stumps, he was unbeaten on a glacial 44 off 120 balls and Travis Head was not out on nine after nearly three hours' play were lost to rain.
Labuschagne needed medical attention after being struck on the right hand by debutant Khurram Shahzad early in the second innings in Perth before top-edging the Pakistan quick to be out for two.
Marnus Labuschagne top-scored with 71 after Australia were invited to bat first at the world's biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.
More rain is forecast for Sunday's final day at Old Trafford and a draw would mean Australia, as the holders, retained the Ashes regardless of the result in the fifth and final Test at the Oval next week
Marnus Labuschagne said he holds himself to a "higher standard" after his struggles in the opening Ashes test and is looking to rediscover top form in time for the second match at Lord's.
Spin king Nathan Lyon bagged six wickets, including century-maker Kraigg Brathwaite, as Australia ground down a gutsy West Indies to win the first Test in Perth by 164 runs on Sunday.
![Steve Smith [L], Marnus Labuschagne](https://tds-images.thedailystar.net/sites/default/files/styles/big_201/public/images/2025/06/23/erjgbgzwmags4-t.jpg "Steve Smith [L], Marnus Labuschagne")
![Steve Smith [L], Marnus Labuschagne](https://tds-images.thedailystar.net/sites/default/files/styles/medium_202/public/images/2025/06/23/erjgbgzwmags4-t.jpg "Steve Smith [L], Marnus Labuschagne")
