'Shown a lot of glimpses': Travis Head backs opening partner amid 'extremely tough' Ashes series

Jake Weatherald has endured an "extremely tough" start to his Test career, but opening partner Travis Head has backed him to turn things around.

The aggressive left-hander was brought in for his Australian debut in the Ashes series opener after a stellar run of form at Sheffield Shield level.

Weatherald has since scored 146 runs at 20.85 across eight innings against England, with almost half of that tally coming with his maiden half-century at the Gabba.

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The 31-year-old is expected to retain his spot in the final match at the SCG next week, but whether his future in the baggy green is extended remains to be seen.

The likes of Matt Renshaw, Sam Konstas and Campbell Kellaway have all been spoken about as potential long-term openers for Australia throughout the summer.

However, according to Head, there's still plenty for Weatherald to offer and admitted the conditions on Australian pitches across the four matches have been difficult.

"International cricket is extremely tough," he said.

"The wickets have been challenging across the board the last few years, that's well-documented. 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.

"It's not always gonna go your way and there's a lot of guys who look like they have been under the pump with the bat who are the best of our generation.

"It can be a tough way to start your international career, but I think he's a good enough player to play international cricket."

The generational players Head is likely referring to are Steve Smith and Joe Root, who have both returned mixed results throughout the Ashes thus far.

As for the beloved South Australian product, who has notched two centuries in the series, he is "full of confidence" in the Aussie selectors and believes he can continue to open the batting after making the jump up from No.5 this summer.

"I see myself as this team's opening batter for the series and then we've got a long gap between to piece the puzzles together for where the team wants to go," Head said.

"I've felt good at the top, I feel like I've been batting well. For this series, I feel like I've been able to do a job for the team and it's put us in good positions.

"It's been pleasing to be able to contribute in different ways and that's why I've always been open to how can I make the team better? If that means me at the top and we're a better cricket team and we're winning more, then I'm happy.

"There will be challenging times, but at the moment I feel like I'm moving really well, which is putting me in good positions against the new ball.

"[There is] a bit more nervous energy going into the Test, but it's still a red ball coming down whether you're opening or batting at five and you've still got to problem solve." 

Australia hold a 3-1 series lead going into the final Test and while the Boxing Day fixture wasn't their best, Head paid credit to the under-fire England outfit.

"It's obviously disappointing waking up this morning and not winning a Test match when you feel like you had opportunities to put the game to bed," he said.

"You've got to take the good with the bad … you've got to give credit where it's due.

"We've played 13 days of Test cricket so far and we've been pretty good for 12 of them."