Australia vs India: 19-year-old Sam Konstas to make debut for hosts in Boxing Day Test
Opener Sam Konstansa is set to become Australia’s youngest Test batsman in 71 years in the Boxing Day Test against India.
The 19-year-old was called up to replace Nathan McSweeney last week after he could only manage 72 runs at an average of 14.40 in six innings.
The series is currently tied at 1-1 with two matches left.
“He’s calm, relaxed, knows his game is in a good place at the moment, he’ll play on Boxing Day,” Australia coach Andrew McDonald said.
“We’re really excited for him, Boxing Day, the biggest stage. Maybe he can get it sooner.”
New South Wales’ Constas will be Australia’s youngest batsman since Ian Craig in 1953.
Earlier this season Konstas scored two centuries against South Australia in the Sheffield Shield, becoming the youngest player to do so since Ricky Ponting in 1993.
McDonald said he was chosen to take the game to India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as the bowlers have had the upper hand in the series so far.
“We want to present a different challenge to India at this time,” McDonald said.
“We believe Nathan (McSweeney) is good enough for Test level. We weren’t sure about how the top order was going to work. We challenged ourselves to make that decision. Whether it works or No, time will tell (but) we’re really confident Sam can do the job.”
McDonald was also “pretty confident” that Travis Head would be fit to play despite being prevented from training on Monday due to a quad strain.
The 30-year-old left-handed batsman has scored 409 runs, including two centuries, in the first three Test matches.
McDonald also said that fast bowler Scott Boland would likely replace the injured Josh Hazlewood, and confirmed that all-rounder Mitchell Marsh is fit to play.
Captain Pat Cummins is set to reveal the rest of Australia’s squad with the match starting at 23:30 GMT on Wednesday.
There will be ball-by-ball commentary on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and the BBC Sport website and app, where video highlights will also be available (all UK users only).
