Australia’s Travis Head said that he was not accustomed to the first-order position; however, the left-hander is happy to be anchoring the innings after a successful Ashes last year. The player, who was named the Allan Border Medal recipient as Australia’s Cricketer of the Year on Friday, had earlier batted at the top of the order only in limited circumstances in India and Sri Lanka, and he quickly became accustomed to playing at the head of the batting order in white-ball matches.

The move to the first position occurred in the second Test against England at Perth last November when he replaced the injured Usman Khawaja.

Travis Head Comfortable With New Role at Top of Test Order

Travis Head followed his century in the Perth hundred with tons in Adelaide and Sydney, to finish the Ashes with an astonishing 629 runs.

His good form in the top order has seen him favourite to continue as an opener during a busy time for Australia. This sees them play 20 tests in the next year, with possibly a 21st if they make the final of the World Test Championship.

Although his performance record does not indicate he has been a traditional Australian opener, with the 32-year-old only having opened in around ten or so of his 170-odd first-class appearances.

“I don’t know what the numbers are, but what have I been involved in? I’ve played 170, 180 first-class games; maybe I’ve opened ten, or something like that.

I think that would suggest that I’m not an opening batter, a traditional opening batter, in the way that Australian cricket has been used to, I guess,” he said to Cricinfo.

“Players that have come through the system opening the batting, and playing state opening the batting, and then played Test cricket opening the batting,” he said.

However, he feels his aggressive approach to the game makes him ideally suited for the role.

“I think my game is conducive to that. I feel like I can play that role. I’m at the top, but it’s not that traditional opening batter, if that makes sense. I know that I’ve still got to work hard at the new ball, and understand that I’m going to make mistakes, but I’m very comfortable with that,” he said.

In 2025/26, Travis Head’s good form continued as he posted 1,437 runs across 30 matches in all formats, making him one of Australia’s most consistent batters.

His excellent season was rewarded on Friday when he won the Allan Border Medal for the second consecutive year, finishing with 153 votes – one clear of his South Australia teammate Alex Carey, who had 152 votes.

Carey had a brilliant season in 2025/26, with 1,079 runs in 24 matches, while also picking up 28 dismissals as Australia’s wicketkeeper during the Ashes.

Having won the Allan Border Medal for the second year in a row, Head has joined the small list of Australian cricketers to win the prestigious award more than once.

The 32-year-old is now equal with legends such as Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Steven Smith and David Warner, who have all won the award on two occasions.

Now with a spot in Australia’s Test-opening batting order seemingly secured, Head’s sights are now set on continuing his sublime form in another intense year of international cricket.

And while he may not see himself as a traditional opener, his extraordinary 2025/26 campaign suggests Australia have worked out a winning formula at the top of their order.