With a little over a month left in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Australia are missing an opener in their Test squad as chief selector George Bailey confirmed that Steve Smith will return to his position, no.4. Experienced campaigners Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris alongside a young Sam Konstas have been named in Australia A's squad against India A to audition for the opening spot. Ahead of the grueling summer, Mitchell Starc has backed 19-year-old Konstas for the role.
"There's no reason [for him] not to [handle it]," Starc said. "He's obviously got the talent, got the work ethic, he's a lovely young man.
"Time will tell. If he's not picked this summer then I am sure runs on the board will help him in the long run."
Konstas numbers so far
Konstas on October 18 had a net session alongside Smith. The teenager grabbed eyeballs when he scored twin centuries against South Australia in the Sheffield Shield opener. He became the first to do it since former Australia captain Ricky Ponting achieved it 21 years ago. So far, Konstas has scored 412 runs from eight innings at an average of 51.50. The youngster will be seen in action when Australia A take on India A starting October 31.
Starc compares Green to Stokes
Starc also weighed in on the impact of Cameron Green’s absence due to surgery. He compared Green to England captain Ben Stokes. He predicted increased workload as well.
"It will always change the dynamic when you take a genuine allrounder like a Cameron Green, or with England when you take a Ben Stokes, out," Starc said. "When you have that genuine allrounder who has been part of a group for a while ... you get into a bit of a routine of having that extra bowling option.
"I don't know what the dynamic of that line-up is going to be, there is a lot of talk around that opening spot and Mitch [Marsh] bowling as well.
"It's not completely foreign. We've had series in the past where we haven't had an allrounder at all.
"We've had to take some of that workload, and Gaz [Nathan Lyon] has probably had to bowl a bit extra as well."
Starc, Smith and Nathan Lyon will play for New South Wales against Victoria starting October 20.
