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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
An out-of-form Labuschagne has been dropped for the opening Test against the West Indies in Barbados this week, while fellow batting stalwart Smith is nursing an injured finger.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis, who have only played two Tests each, compared to the combined 175 of Smith and Labuschagne, replace them.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But Head said he was not concerned.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"They (Smith and Labuschagne) are still around the squad, so it still feels similar at the moment in the build-up," he told reporters in the West Indies.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Getting into the game will be a little bit of a new look, but it's guys who have already played, guys with experience already in a short amount of Test match cricket."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Not since the Boxing Day Test against India in 2018 –- when Smith was serving a year-long ban for ball-tampering -- have Australia fielded a Test team without either him or Labuschagne.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Labuschagne has played 53 consecutive Tests, according to Cricket Australia, while Smith's streak stood at 51.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Konstas is expected to open at Kensington Oval with Usman Khawaja -- a role Labuschagne filled in the recent World Test Championship final -- with Inglis coming in anywhere from three to six.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Head, who usually bats at number five, said the team were prepared for any scenario.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"As a batter, you're planning for anything at the moment and then once we get a look at the lay of the land, we'll come up with a plan," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"This is a very experienced team.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We take a couple of guys out, but I find it a very mature and experienced group that if conditions moved in-game, and we needed to win a game of cricket, I think anyone's (able) to move around."<\/p>\r\n\r\n