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19-year-old Australia opener Sam Konstas might be representing Australia A on their red-ball tour of India next month.
Virat Kohli (right) and Sam Konstas (left) exchange words after bumping shoulders. (AFP Photo)
Cricket Australia have sent struggling Sam Konstas to India for Australia A’s red-ball tour of the country next month. Konstas first got here into the limelight following a half-century on debut while facing the likes of Jasprit Bumrah through the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy in December. He further hit the headlines because of his heated altercation with Virat Kohli and later Bumrah.
Nevertheless, following the BGT, Konstas has been struggling to get moving into Test cricket.
Australia chief selector George Bailey feels that the experience of playing in India might be invaluable for the teenages.
The 19-year-old, who had a troublesome time during Australia’s recent senior tour of the West Indies, is the one current Test player chosen for 2 four-day matches in Lucknow.
Test-capped players Cooper Connolly, Todd Murphy, and Nathan McSweeney were also included within the 14-man squad. A separate Australia A squad was announced for 3 one-day matches.
“The subcontinent presents many unique challenges and offers the prospect to utilise different skills with each bat and ball,” said Bailey.
“We hope repeated experiences in these conditions will help players in developing an efficient method and understanding of their game for future subcontinent tours.”
Konstas made headlines through the Melbourne Boxing Day Test last 12 months when he faced Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, scoring a fiery debut 60 with a series of unorthodox shots.
He lasted for yet one more Test before being dropped, only to regain his place for the West Indies Test series in June-July. Nevertheless, he struggled to attain greater than 25 in six innings, making his hold on the position increasingly uncertain ahead of Australia’s home Ashes series against England this 12 months.
Australia A four-day squad: Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Jack Edwards, Aaron Hardie, Campbell Kellaway, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Fergus O’Neill, Oliver Peake, Josh Philippe, Corey Rocchiccioli, Liam Scott
Australia A one-day squad: Cooper Connolly, Harry Dixon, Jack Edwards, Sam Elliott, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Mackenzie Harvey, Todd Murphy, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Lachie Shaw, Tom Straker, Will Sutherland, Callum Vidler
With AFP Inputs
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He launched into his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital…Read More
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He launched into his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital… Read More
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