Australian opener Travis Head has been released from Australia's T20I squad for the final two matches of the series against India in order to play first-class red-ball cricket ahead of the upcoming Ashes. Head will play for South Australia cricket team in the Sheffield Shield 2025‑26 against Tasmania cricket team next week in Hobart, marking his first first-class appearance since the tour of the West Indies in July.
Selectors reportedly left it up to Head to decide whether to play in the Shield or the final two T20Is against India. Now, with the five-match Ashes campaign starting on 21 November in Perth, the Australian management is keen to ensure their key players are well prepared for the high-profile series.
Travis Head experienced a relatively quiet outing against India, as he managed just 65 runs across three innings in the ODI leg, and he scored 34 runs in the T20I series. Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott are the other Australian players to have left the squad after featuring in the first three T20Is. The duo will play for New South Wales in a high-octane showdown against Victoria at the SCG.