MELBOURNE, Australia — In a significant move for the Australian cricket team, teenager Sam Konstas has been summoned to join the squad for the final two matches of the ongoing test series against India, taking the place of Nathan McSweeney.
On Friday, the national selectors announced that Konstas, alongside fast bowler Jhye Richardson, has been included in Australia’s 15-player contingent for the remaining fixtures of the series, which has seen the team balance at 1—1 after a rain-affected draw at the Gabba in Brisbane earlier this week.
If given the opportunity to play in the upcoming Boxing Day test set to commence on December 26 in Melbourne, Konstas, who is 19 years and 85 days old, would earn his debut as the fourth youngest player in Australian test history. The last player to achieve a debut at a younger age was current captain Pat Cummins back in 2011.
India secured their leading position at the start of the series by winning the first test by a considerable margin of 295 runs in Perth. However, Australia made a strong comeback in the second day-night test held in Adelaide, winning by 10 wickets and leveling the series.
George Bailey, the chief selector, praised Konstas’s batting style, which he believes will bring a unique dimension to the team. “Sam is receiving his first call up to the test squad. His batting approach brings a point of difference, and we are eager to see how his game continues to develop,” Bailey stated.
Konstas’s selection means McSweeney will miss out on further participation in the series, following disappointing performances that left both him and Usman Khawaja under pressure; neither managed to score above 40 runs in their outings during the series against India. McSweeney had no first-class experience as an opener before his initial three tests for Australia.
Bailey remarked that the decision to drop McSweeney after just three tests was a difficult one, but the struggles at the top of the batting order necessitated a strategic adjustment. He indicated that Konstas’s place in the starting lineup for the Melbourne test is still not confirmed. “Considering how the series has unfolded, we want to introduce new dynamics against India for this next test. The challenges at the top of the order have been evident for both teams,” he explained.
Moreover, veteran paceman Scott Boland is anticipated to replace the injured Josh Hazlewood in the playing eleven at the MCG. Boland delivered an impressive performance during his test debut, taking six wickets while conceding just seven runs in the second innings. Most recently, he filled in for Hazlewood, who was sidelined due to a side strain, during the second test in Adelaide, where Boland claimed five wickets in his return after an 18-month hiatus from the team.
The Australia squad for the upcoming matches consists of: Pat Cummins (captain), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, and Beau Webster.