The five-match Test series between India and Australia for the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) is currently level at 1-1 with two Tests remaining but it appears that home side are the ones who have hit the panic button. Pat Cummins-led side dominated the rain-hit third Test at the Gabba in Brisbane this week and Team India just managed to eke out a draw.
But the Australians have decided to drop young opener Nathan McSweeney after just 3 Tests and replaced him with a 19-year-old prodigy named Sam Konstas. Apart from the youngster, pacer Jhye Richardson also comes into the squad to replace injured Josh Hazlewood, which has been announced for the last two Tests in Melbourne and Sydney.
Australia are set to debut their youngest Test batter in over 70 years, with teenage prodigy Sam Konstas named in a 15-player squad. Also joining the squad are pacer Sean Abbott and uncapped Tasmanian allrounder Beau Webster, who was added ahead of the second Test in Adelaide.
McSweeney has been dropped following a challenging start to his international career, while Josh Hazlewood’s calf injury sustained during the drawn third Test in Brisbane rules him out for the remainder of the series.
Konstas’ inclusion as the only other specialist opener alongside Usman Khawaja signals a bold move by selectors. Auxiliary batter Josh Inglis remains a middle-order option. If the 18-year-old receives his Baggy Green on Boxing Day, he would become Australia’s youngest Test debutant since captain Pat Cummins, who debuted at 18 years and 193 days against South Africa in 2011. Konstas would also be the youngest specialist batter to debut for Australia since Ian Craig, who played at 17 years and 239 days in 1953.
Will we see Sam Konstas (currently 19y 79d) added to this list on Boxing Day? #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/015Cx6uaOX
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 20, 2024
Konstas showcased his talent in his Big Bash League debut for the Sydney Thunder this week, smashing a 27-ball 56, the team’s fastest-ever half-century, against the Adelaide Strikers. Speaking after the innings, Konstas acknowledged the possibility of a Boxing Day debut, saying, “It would be a dream come true. Maybe I’d get a little nervous, but I’ve worked really hard for this. Hopefully, it happens one day.”
The most recent Australian opener to debut on Boxing Day was Ed Cowan, who scored 68 against India in 2011. Charles Bannerman remains the only opener to score a century on debut at the MCG, with his 165 not out in the inaugural Test in 1877.
McSweeney, tasked with opening the batting despite limited first-class experience in the role, faced the formidable Jasprit Bumrah, arguably the series’ most challenging bowler. However, his strike rate of 34 runs per 100 balls prompted selectors to seek a more aggressive option.
Selection chair George Bailey explained the decision, stating, “We remain confident in Nathan’s potential at the Test level. It was a tough call to leave him out. Batting at the top of the order has been challenging throughout the series, and we wanted to explore a different approach. Sam brings a unique style of batting, and we’re excited to see how his game evolves.”
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Travis Head (vc), Steve Smith (vc), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
