Young batting sensation Sam Konstas has been given his first call-up to the Australian side for the final two Tests against India. The 19-year-old is set to replace Nathan McSweeney at the top of the order and open the batting with Usman Khawaja. Fans around the world are eager to see how the young batter faces up to Jasprit Bumrah in particular during the Boxing Day game in Melbourne.
Nathan McSweeney had made his Test debut in Perth and failed to deliver the early promise he showed. McSweeney was Australia A captain during the home series against India A that saw him get his national call-up. Sam Konstas will be the third opener for Australia since the retirement of David Warner earlier this year.
After Warner’s retirement against Pakistan, veteran batter Steve Smith was pushed up to open the batting. The 35-year-old failed to deliver with the bat, which saw McSweeney being called into the team. Smith has been batting number 4 during the ongoing series against India.
George Bailey, the chief of selectors, while addressing the media, said that they wanted to 'do'something different in India’. This was in obvious reference to Konstas being selected for the final two matches in Melbourne and Sydney. Once he makes his debut, Konstas will become the 4th youngster debutant for Australia in Test cricket.
Can Sam Konstas end Australia’s search for Warner’s successor?
Young Sam Konstas was part of the Australian side that won the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year. Australia had beaten India in the final, and the right-handed batter had a lean campaign with just 191 runs. The young batter had already made his domestic debut in 2023, where he scored a total of 33 runs, batting at number 3 versus Tasmania.
Before India came visiting, Konstas had put up his hands for selection with knocks of (152 and 105) in the same against South Australia. Ironically, Nathan McSweeney was leading South Australia and scored 55 and 127 runs himself in the game. The two players were also in a bat-off when they were part of the Australia A side vs India A. Those centuries in both innings also made the youngest batter to achieve the feat in Sheffield Shield cricket.
While Nathan McSweeney scored 166 runs from 4 innings, Sam Konstas could manage only 92 runs. Out of those 92 runs, 73 came in a single inning during the second Test that was played in Melbourne. Going back to the MCG will be special for Konstas, who seemed to find new determination after having lost out on the selection call.
When India took on Prime Minister’s XI after the game in Perth, it was Konstas who scored a blistering century. The 19-year-old batter got those runs from just 97 balls with 14 fours and a six. The youngster then followed it up with a crucial 88 for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield game against Western Australia that his side went on to win.
Not to be outdone, Konstas scored 56 runs from 27 balls with 8 fours and 2 sixes for the Sydney Thunder in their BBL 2024 season opener. In that game, David Warner was Konstas’ opening batter as the Thunder side went on to beat the Adelaide Strikers by 2 wickets.
For many Australian cricketers, making their debut in Melbourne is a huge feat. Former New South Walesmen Steve Waugh and Brett Lee forged long careers having made their debut during the Boxing Day matches. Both those Australian legends ironically made their Test debuts against India at the G, as the ground is called fondly. Only time will tell if Sam Konstas can manage to back the hype and forge a huge career for himself in the next few weeks to come.
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