Dhaka, Jan. 29 -- Travis Head will replace Sam Konstas as Usman Khawaja's opening partner in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle today, Australia's stand-in captain Steve Smith said on the eve of the match.

Konstas, who impressed as opener in his debut series against India, could be accommodated in the middle order following Head's promotion, Smith said.

Head impressed in Australia's 2023 tour of India showing his proficiency against spin, which could come in handy in the two-test series against a spin-heavy Sri Lanka, reckoned Smith. "Trav will go to the top, outside of that I think it will be pretty stable," Smith told reporters on Tuesday. "I don't see it being a great deal of change from that.

"The selectors liked what they s...