“It would be tough on him” - Glenn McGrath reveals Usman Khawaja’s replacements as opener for 2nd Test vs England

Former Australian pacer Glenn McGrath has heaped praise on the attacking Australian batter Travis Head, who was promoted up the order and went on to score an exceptional century in the Perth Test against England.

Notably, Australia defeated England by eight wickets quite comfortably to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match Ashes 2025-26 campaign, courtesy of Head’s century in the fourth innings on a tough batting wicket in Perth.

“It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote Head up the order for the second innings. In moving Head, who has the confidence of opening in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to take the attack to England,” Glenn McGrath said while speaking to BBC Sport's chief cricket reporter Stephan Shemilt.

Furthermore, the former seamer reckoned that Australia could bring in Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis up the order to open alongside Jake Weatherald in the second Test, scheduled to start on Thursday, December 4, in Brisbane. He also advised Australia to continue with its aggressive batting approach in the top-order.

“Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them stick with the method of aggression at the top of the order,” he added.

“That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster comes into the middle order, or Head could go back to number five and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could go to the top. It would be tough on Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable,” he noted.

“At the moment, England is only 1-0 down. There would be no coming back from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a massive game. They must adapt, or the Ashes will be gone once more,” he concluded.

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