Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has suggested that Travis Head could be promoted to No.3 in the batting order for the upcoming Ashes 2025 series at home, citing the batter’s counter-attacking style as a potential weapon to unsettle England’s pace attack. Australia are aiming to retain the Ashes while continuing their ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 campaign.

Ponting believes that Head’s aggressive intent could provide the team with early momentum and create pressure on England’s top bowlers from the outset. Speaking on SEN Radio, Ricky Ponting explained that promoting Head to No.3 could also bring balance to the middle order.

“As a young bloke, you typically come in at No.5 or No.6 and work your way up. Travis Head could be moved to No.3, giving him the platform to play his natural game,” Ricky Ponting said.

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He added that Head’s presence at one-drop would immediately challenge England’s pace attack. “Having someone like Travis Head at No.3 puts bowlers like Jofra Archer and Mark Wood under pressure early. It’s another way to take control and dominate England through the Ashes summer,” he noted.

Ponting also highlighted Australia’s growing squad depth, particularly the emergence of young talents. He singled out 19-year-old Sam Konstas, who recently scored a century for Australia A in India, suggesting he could form a top-order combination with veteran Usman Khawaja.

“I can see the top order as Konstas and Khawaja. Moving Green to No.3 in the Caribbean indicated they see him as a long-term option there. Smith at four, Head at five, and Beau Webster at six would give the side stability. Leaving Webster out doesn’t make sense,” Ricky Ponting said.

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With the Ashes set to ignite another thrilling summer of cricketing rivalry, Ponting’s insights underline the selection dilemmas facing Australia’s management. Balancing youth and experience will be key as the team looks to assert dominance on home soil while continuing their ICC World Test Championship campaign.