Australia's young opener Sam Konstas has left the tour of Sri Lanka ahead of the second Test at The Galle. Replaced by veteran batter Travis Head at the top of the order, Konstas headed back home to play for New South Wales in their Sheffield Shield clash against Queensland commencing on February 8.
Earlier in the series, Konstas spent most of his time in the hotel as he was ill. After his recovery, the teenager joined the players and started practicing.
Konstas said that he understands why he was not a part of the playing XI for the first Test. He is happy with the learnings in the subcontinent conditions.
"I totally understood the decision (not to play in the first Test), Travis Head's a legend of the game and he's been dominating in these conditions up top," Konstas told The Age before boarding the flight back home.
"So for me it was trying to get exposure to Dubai (and) Sri Lanka, try to learn and I feel like I learned quite a bit about things if I do play in the subcontinent.
"It's been a huge honour being in the squad and learning from the likes of Travis Head, Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, the way they go about it.
"And obviously having experience in the Asian continent in Dubai. It's been about understanding what works in these conditions, and hopefully I can emulate that after I get back to Sydney. Understanding your strengths and trying to do it for as long as possible in these conditions."
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Who will open in WTC final?
Ahead of the second Test, Head has confirmed that he will return to the middle order and Konstas will open against South Africa at The Lord's London in the all-important World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final in June.
Leg-spinner joins Australian camp
Meanwhile, Konstas' New South Wales teammate, leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha has joined the team as their development player. There is a possibility that he may get the nod for the two-ODI series against Sri Lanka as a few players are out injured from the white-ball squad.