Rising star Sam Konstas will likely make his debut for Australia on the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Konstas has finally been called up to play in the final two Border-Gavaskar Trophy matches after months of waiting. The Australian cricket fraternity is secretly optimistic that Konstas will flourish under pressure, even though it looks like a baptism of fire for the young player from New South Wales.
Australia announce squad for final two Tests
Australia officially announced their 15-men squad for the final two Test matches against India on Friday, December 20. Following Australia's failure to pick a victory at the Gabba which brought the series to a 1-1 draw, the selectors have made some crucial changes to the team. They made a significant choice by benching Nathan McSweeney, 25, after just three Test matches. McSweeney only managed 72 runs in six innings, the lowest total by an Australian Test opener in their first six tests since 1974, as he battled against the pace attack headed by Jasprit Bumrah.
Who is Sam Konstas?
Australia hopes to add aggressive intent at the top order by bringing in Sam Konstas. Konstas has a strong record in all formats going into the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Konstas made his Big Bash League debut with the Sydney Thunder in December 2024. He opened with David Warner and scored the fastest half-century in Sydney Thunder history with a scorching 57 off 26 balls. He contributed significantly to the team's triumph over the Adelaide Strikers with an innings that featured eight boundaries and two sixes.
ALSO READ: Ravichandran Ashwin reveals call log from retirement day, shows getting call from Sachin Tendulkar
Konstas also played in a pink-ball warm-up match against India at Manuka Oval for the Prime Minister's XI. Against a strong Indian bowling attack that included Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja, he hit an incredible 107 off 97 balls, including 14 fours and a six. His status as an up-and-coming star in Australian cricket was further cemented by this performance.
Konstas was chosen to play for Australia A in their series against India A in October and November of 2024. He was instrumental in his team's triumph in the second unofficial Test, scoring an undefeated 73 in the second innings.
Teenage wonder Sam Konstas is set to become Australia's youngest Test batting debutant in over 70 years. The right-hander would be Australia's youngest Test debutant since current captain Pat Cummins, who made his debut against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2011 at the age of 18 years 193 days if he were to be given a Baggy Green cap on Boxing Day
