Sam Konstas Confirmed To Debut In IND vs AUS Boxing Day Test, Australia Sweat Over Travis Head's Fitness
IND vs AUS Boxing Day Test: While 19-year-old Sam Konstas is set for Test debut at MCG, concerns over Travis Head's participation in the fourth IND vs AUS Test remain.
Sam Konstas is set to make his Test debut in the India vs Australia Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), scheduled to get underway on December 26 (Thursday). Australian men’s cricket team head coach Andrew McDonald confirmed the 19-year-old opener will feature in the Australia’s 11 in the fourth IND vs AUS Test of the five-match Test series.
Konstas, who will be 19 years and 85 days old on Day 1 of the MCG Test, will also become the fourth-youngest Test player for Australia, only behind Ian Craig, Pat Cummins and Tom Garrett.
Sam Konstas was added to the squad as a replacement for Nathan McSweeney after Australia's top order struggled in the first three Tests of the series, which is currently tied 1-1 with two matches to go.
Age Is No Barrier: McDonald On Aussie Team Selection
McDonald confirmed that Australia selector Tony Dodemaide informed Konstas of his inclusion in the squad on December 24 (Tuesday), but the final confirmation of the playing 11 will be made on Christmas Day during captain Pat Cummins' pre-match press conference.
"We said from the get go, when leading into the summer, that we wouldn't shy away, and age was no barrier. And what he's shown is an array of shots, the ability to put pressure back on to opponents and he gets his opportunity. We're really excited for him," McDonald said.
Uncertainty Over Travis Head's Participation In MCG Test
While Konstas is set for debut, the Australian camp is concerned about Travis Head's fitness ahead of the crucial MCG encounter, as he sustained a minor quad strain during the Brisbane match. However, McDonald expressed confidence that Head will play in the fourth Test, despite needing to work through the strain.
"Has he got some things to work through? Yeah, he has. So that's what you would have seen. There's no concern at the moment. Has he been officially ticked off? I'm not sure. I didn't see the sort of back-end of his training session there, but I'm pretty confident he'll play. I think he looked good with the bat in hand so obviously skills are in good order. Yeah, it'll just be basically what risk is associated with that. He had a small strain to the quad. But no concerns from my end. He's been able to be running, yeah, so I think he'll be fully functional come the game time," McDonald said further.
Notably, Travis Head is the only batter in the IND vs AUS Test series who has surpassed the 400-run mark across the three Tests so far. Head has scored 409 runs at an exceptional average of 81.80, with two centuries and a half-century.
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