New Delhi: Promising teenager Sam Konstas will make his debut for Australia on the Boxing Day Test against India while explosive batter Travis Head remains doubtful with quad injury, Cricket Australia confirmed on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old Konstas will become the 468th Test player of the men’s Australian cricket team and will bat as an opener alongside veteran Usman Khawaja.
The right hander has been picked in place of Nathan McSweeney, who failed to fire in the first three Tests after being handed his maiden Test cap.
McSweeney was dismissed four times in six innings by India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, managing only 72 runs with a top score of 39. He has since returned to play in the T20 Big Bash League for Brisbane Heat.
Konstas has been one of Australia’s most talked about emerging batters and came into reckoning after scoring a century for the Australian PM’s XI against India in a tour game before the second Test, a day-night contest at Adelaide.
Konstas will become the youngest to put on the Baggy Green since an 18-year-old Pat Cummins made his debut in 2011.
“He’s in a good place with his game at the moment, so he’ll play on Boxing Day,” coach Andrew McDonald told reporters at the MCG.
“What he’s demonstrated is a wide range of shots and the ability to put pressure back on the opposition. He gets his opportunity, and we’re really excited for him. Boxing Day, the biggest stage—he might as well get that one out of the way early.”
Head worry for Australia
Scott Boland will replace the injured Josh Hazlewood, who picked up a side strain during the drawn Test at Brisbane. But Head isn’t a certain starter after picking up a quad strain in the same game at the Gabba.
Head had earlier expressed confidence in becoming fit for the MCG Test despite being ‘sore’ while there are also concerns about the bowling ability of Mitchell Marsh.
“While he (McDonald) was confident Head will be passed fit, the star batter still had some hoops to jump through,” a Cricket Australia media release said.
Sam Konstas will become the youngest to make his Test debut for Australia since an 18-year-old Pat Cummins made his bow in 2011. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
