Last Updated on 9 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey

Former New Zealand captain Ken Rutherford hopes Australia will stick with Travis Head as opener for the highly-anticipated Test series later this year. Rutherford believes Head is most dangerous in the middle order against the older ball.

“Head’s a very dangerous player but the chances of getting him out early are greater when he opens. Kagiso Rabada showed that in Cape Town (when he had him caught at gully),” Rutherford said, as quoted by CODE Sports.

Head has a good record as a Test opener, with 1,200 runs at 48 including four centuries. However, things haven’t been as smooth sailing since the 2025/26 Ashes with an average of 30.1 across nine innings against Bangladesh and South Africa. He has chopped on numerous times as teams keep their lines tight.

Rutherford said the extra movement with the new ball leaves Head in a precarious spot as he stays legside of the ball.

“That’s the plan to follow. Head tends to stand legside of the ball and bowler to him a foot outside off stump like Rabada did with you have a few slips, a backward point and a third man can work,” Rutherford said.

“You are no guarantee of getting him out but with a hard new ball at least you feel a chance. I sense he is more relaxed coming in down the order.’’

New Zealand aiming to overcome horror record against Australia

New Zealand’s record against Australia is one of the more difficult things to explain in cricket. They have won just one Test out of their last 33, spanning over three decades.

The Black Caps have had terrific teams over the years, including the experienced outfit that won the inaugural World Test Championship. However, they haven’t been able to get over the line against Australia, with their most recent loss a heartbreaking three-wicket defeat in Christchurch courtesy of crucial contributions from Alex Carey, Mitchell Marsh and Pat Cummins.

“It is almost a case of the closer we think we are the further away it gets,’’ Rutherford said.

“I remember on the last tour when Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Tim Southee were in the squad which was really talked up and we got thrashed. It’s almost as if it’s better to do the Kiwi thing and play the underdogs.

“It’s always hard when the first Test is in Perth. It’s a lot different to the bounce over here. I remember on the last tour three days before the first Test there was a photo of the New Zealand team playing beach cricket on Rottnest Island among the quokkas. That worried me.

“When you are adjusting to a place like Perth you need to be in the nets. I hope that doesn’t happen again.’’

The first Test kicks off at Perth’s Optus Stadium on December 9.