<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Australia's Travis Head Sunday backed under-pressure opening partner Jake Weatherald to come good after an "extremely tough" start to his Test career in a wild Ashes series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Weatherald made his debut in the opening Test against England in Perth, the latest in a flurry of players looking to fill the giant hole left by David Warner calling it quits two years ago.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
None have managed to cement the spot, with Weatherald the latest to struggle.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The aggressive left-hander has scored 146 runs at 20.85 across eight innings so far, with almost half of that courtesy of his 72 at the second Test in Brisbane.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With the likes of Matt Renshaw and Sam Konstas waiting in the wings, he needs a big score at the final Test in Sydney this week to extend his tenure.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"International cricket is extremely tough," Head told Australian media in Melbourne after they lost the fourth Test by four wickets.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"The wickets have been challenging across the board the last few years, that's well documented.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It's not an excuse and I think he's a good enough cricketer for international cricket and I think he showed a lot of glimpses over his first four Tests."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Weatherald is not the only Australian batsman under scrutiny with Cameron Green and Marnus Labuschagne also short of runs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Head was promoted to opener in the second innings at Perth when Usman Khawaja was sidelined with back spasms and has kept the position, cracking two centuries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He said he was content to stay there for the time being.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I see myself as this team's opening batter for the series and then we've got a long gap to piece the puzzles together for where the team wants to go," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I've felt good at the top, I feel like I've been batting well."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
After the final Ashes match in Sydney, Australia's next Test series is not until the middle of 2026, when they host Bangladesh.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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