Sam Konstas is reportedly set to be snubbed for the World Test Championship final for a batsman who has never opened at the international level, but the teenager is doing all he can to change selectors’ minds.
Last week Cricket Australia announced its 15-player squad for the marquee fixture against South Africa at Lord’s which gets underway on June 11.
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Skipper Pat Cummins, experienced quick Josh Hazlewood and all-rounder Cameron Green are among the inclusions to the squad, with Konstas also named.
However, with Green impressing in his return to cricket after an injury lay-off, the Sydney Morning Herald reports Konstas is set to be overlooked for the final, with Marnus Labuschagne favoured to join Queensland teammate Usman Khawaja at the top of the order, with Green coming into the 11-man team down the order.
That would mean Labuschagne would become the fifth player to open alongside Khawaja since Warner’s retirement, with Steve Smith, Nathan McSweeney and Konstas each occupying the role before Travis Head was elevated up the order for this year’s Test tour of Sri Lanka.
But Konstas is doing all he can to persuade selectors to pick him as opener, which would almost certainly come at the expense of Labushagne.
His desire to improve and lock down the opener spot in the Australian Test side led him to fly to Brisbane for a net session with veteran spinner Nathan Lyon, all at his own expense.
“I thought I’d give Sam a call because the weather has been horrendous here in Sydney and it might be a good idea if Sam came up with me for a day and he could have a hit with Marnus (Labuschagne) and face me for a little bit,” Lyon told Code Sports about the private net session.
“Sam is incredibly talented. He’s still learning his game and that’s a joy to watch and hopefully be a part of in some way or another. Whether it’s passing on a bit of advice or just talking about playing spin bowling, or whatever it might be.
“This is the role of the senior player. The likes of Ponting, Hussey and Haddin did that for me when I was early in my career.
“Sam is willing to learn and he wants to learn and that’s the best thing about Sam. You can see that.”
Lyon feels that Konstas is on the right path but just needs to learn when to bring out his showmanship strokes.
“He obviously has the game. We all know he has the skill, that was on display for his first entry into Test cricket. He’s got a big future ahead of him,” Lyon said.
“Hopefully he can keep chipping away and keep working on his game and understanding when he can play those big shots and then when he needs to knuckle down and defend.”
Konstas has also been up to Brisbane three times in recent weeks for official Cricket Australia camps with other WTF Final squad members.
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith (VC), Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster. Travelling reserve: Brendan Doggett
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