Travis Head won't commit 100 per cent to 'bloody tough' opener's role. But his performances have answered the question

ADELAIDE: A triumphant Travis Head hasn't put 100 per cent certainty on him staying at the top but his performances have suggested otherwise after another Ashes century.

Head now has two centuries since his move to open the batting and it appears that shift will be permanent moving forward with Usman Khawaja also looking comfortable in the middle order.

The South Australian offered a typical "we'll wait and see" when asked if his move to the top is now officially permanent after complimenting Khawaja on his success from coming in late for Steve Smith.

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"I'm not surprised he played well, he played really well again today. He's a calm head with a lot of experience and that's what we've got within our squad of 15," he told media after day three.

"I know he would've been disappointed to be told he's missing out but then to draw on that (experience is great), to be told again in the morning, he may or may not have expected it leading in, there was obviously a bit to work through so in the back of his mind he would've been preparing to play.

"I think anyone in this 15 could be playing, we've got very strong heads, very good people and people that want to play well and people that want to contribute to this team so I'm not surprised in the way he played and again big shoes to fill but it felt right when he comes in."

Head also confirmed the side was prepared for any situation, particularly after Smith fell ill two days before the Test.

"Conversations were had leading into the Test. Yes things moved and it looks like it moved quick because Smudge grabs his backpack and walks across the ground 20 minutes before the toss, but again, there was days leading up that you can plan," he said.

"We had time to plan, we had conversations, so everyone was sound on what those moving parts were if Steve played or if Steve didn't.

"It happens and this team has been really good at communicating and knowing where we're going and the next man in mentality. We've seen that with the bowlers and that's probably the pleasing part."

Adelaide now makes it three Tests in a row with Head at the top of the order. The left-hander has previously opened in the sub-continent but never to this level of consistency.

Asked if there was any circumstances where he'd go down to the middle order, Head was his usual self.

"If we field all day and have to bat. If I have to do that again, I'll be stuffed," he laughed.

"We'll wait and see.

"... It's been a good start but I also know it's bloody tough.

"I've done well in different formats and felt like I can suit it and I've felt like at stages it sets our team up really well, it might not be all the time, it may be all the time, I don't know. But at this stage Test by Test it seems to be working."

Head was the headline act on day three at the Adelaide Oval, stopping a trend of confusing Snicko decisions dominating the talking points of the opening days.

Nathan Lyon offered no comment on Thursday, but Head was willing to expand with his own thoughts.

"Everyone's opinions were heard over the stump mic, it was a pretty chaotic 30 or 40 minutes," he said.

"I feel for the umpire's a bit, everything gets checked now but it is what it is."