The debate over who would be Usman Khawaja’s opening partner in Australia’s Test series against India continues to simmer. Travis Head looks to be a strong contender.

Opening the batting against England in the first ODI in Nottingham on Thursday, Head cruised to his hundred in the 30th over. He remained unbeaten on 154 as Australia chased down 316 in 44 overs to win by seven wickets.

But what stops him from doing the same thing for Australia in the first session of a Test against India later this year? Khawaja certainly likes the idea of a reshuffle, with Steve Smith reverting to his preferred No.4 and Head jumping up from the middle order.

“He’s obviously been very successful opening the batting in one-day cricket and, breaking it down, I’d probably lean towards him. I feel like Travis Head might be best suited,” Khawaja said last week.

Head was elevated to open in Tests in India last year when David Warner was ruled out with a concussion and elbow injury in the second Test. It predated Head’s launch into a fantastic 16-month-and-counting spell that began with his Man of the Match-winning century in the World Test Championship final at The Oval.

Head had thrived on that tough four-Test tour, averaging 55 from his five innings as opener, including a best of 90 in his final innings in Ahmedabad. The biggest potential obstacle to Head opening in the Border Gavaskar Trophy for Australia is Head himself. He had previously distanced himself from the role, suggesting that he should only be considered to open in the subcontinent.

“Yes,” he said, when asked if he was aware of the speculation in the media at home. “Keep the chatter: it makes it interesting.”

He played with a dead bat when asked if his stance had shifted since he appeared to rule himself out of contention.

“I’m not going to dive into that. I’ll just let that play out.”

One astonishing flicked six off Jofra Archer over square leg on Thursday demonstrated his power and ability.

He’s playing as if he is having a whale of a time and is proud that he now owns the highest score ever made by an Australian in an ODI in England.

“Happy days. Hopefully, there’ll be more in two days’ time,” he smiled.