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<\/p>\r\n\r\nFormer Australia wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist is heartened with Travis Head's batting performance in the third One-day International against Sri Lanka at Colombo, saying that he can see the cricketer developing into a long-term opener in the shorter version of the game.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Head was been flown from Hambantota -- where he was touring with the Australia A side -- to Kandy as cover for an injured Marcus Stoinis. The charismatic 28-year-old, who was Player of the Series during the Ashes, made an instant impact, smashing an unbeaten 70 off 65 balls as Australia piled on 291\/6 in the third ODI at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday night.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Australia still ended up losing the game by six wickets after Pathum Nissanka scored a century and Kusal Mendis struck 87. Australia are trailing the five-match series 1-2.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But Gilchrist felt Head is fast developing into a fine opener. Head has played all three formats in 2022 after enjoying a great 12 months in national colours to be counted among the best batters in the world.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Following his 'Player of the Series' performance in the Ashes at home, where he scored two centuries, Head smashed a ton in the ODI series in Pakistan this March and has added another two half-tons to his tally in 50-over cricket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With opener David Warner returning to the side after missing the Pakistan series, Head has had to move back to the middle-order slot against Sri Lanka.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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"I think longer-term, down the track, probably in the next 12 months or so, Travis Head will find a spot at the top of the order," Gilchrist told SEN WA Breakfast on Monday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I think he'll end up opening regularly in the one-day setup and I think that's where he'll be able to provide most impact with the team. He can get off to a flying start, he can go at as good a clip as anyone but he's also got a game where he can lay a foundation for the team."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With skipper Aaron Finch's spot at the top shaky after a string of below-par performances, there is an opportunity for Head to claim the slot, and with the T20 World Cup in Australia this year and the 50-over World Cup in India in 2023 around the corner, Gilchrist sees Head partnering Warner at the top.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"(Aaron) Finchy will get through to this T20 World Cup, I think Aaron aspires to get to the next 50-over World Cup which I think is in the sub-continent next year, but it wouldn't be that long after that that Finch would retire if he got that far," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n