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Young opener Sam Konstas became a fan-favourite in Australia when he adopted the fearless approach against the recently crowned 'ICC Cricketer of the Year', Jasprit Bumrah. Konstas scored a fifty on his Test debut and was not afraid to play unorthodox shots against an in-form Bumrah. While former cricketers including Ricky Ponting backed Konstas to open in Sri Lanka as well, he was dropped from the playing XI as experienced Travis Head was promoted to the top. Australian selector, Tony Dodemaide, who is in Sri Lanka admitted that it was a "difficult" decision to keep the young opener on the bench. However, he was impressed by how Konstas took the news.
"There's a lot to like and be impressed about Sam. One of the things is his ability to take things in his stride. It's remarkable really, whether it's playing in front of 90,000 and Jasprit Bumrah at the MCG or getting told that you're left out of the Test," Dodemaide told ESPNCricinfo.
"He was like, 'Oh yeah mate, no stress. I get it'."
Will Konstas play second Test?
However, Dodemaide did not rule out the possibility of Konstas coming back into the side for the second Test. He hinted that Australia may make a few changes depending on what transpires in first Test.
"He's a hugely talented player, hasn't played a lot in this part of the world but he'll learn quickly obviously," Dodemaide said.
"The opportunity to have him here, not to say that Test two is out of the question obviously depending on what happens here, but the opportunity to give Nathan McSweeney, Cooper Connolly and even now Ollie Peake [on the tour as a development player] is an investment in the future."
Head scores quickfire fifty
The move to drop Konstas and open with Head worked for Australia. He got them off to a flier with a 40-ball 57. He shared a 92-run opening partnership with Usman Khawaja.
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