Dropped from Test squad, young New South Wales opener Sam Konstas has been picked for a two-day pink-ball warm-up game against England at Manuka Oval, Canberra. Konstas will play under the leadership of experienced campaigner Peter Handscomb. The Prime Minister's XI are set to take on England after the first Test on November 29 and 30.
Another Australian team discard, Nathan McSweeney is part of the squad as well. Other promising youngsters are Oliver Peake, Campbell Kellaway and Hugh Weibgen. The Prime Minister's XI also features former Australian pacer Peter Siddle who has a hat-trick in the Ashes — dismissing Alastair Cook, Matt Prior and Stuart Broad — at The Gabba, Brisbane on his birthday.
The last time Konstas played a pink-ball warm-up game was in last year. He scored a century against India and got his maiden call-up. Konstas has struggled of late, scoring 161 runs from eight innings at an average of 20.12 in the ongoing Sheffield Shield season. He has just one fifty in the domestic season so far. Earlier, he scored a century for Australia A on India tour.
His New South Wales’ coach Chris Rogers sees him as successor to Usman Khawaja. He also pointed at potential challenges he will face in international cricket.
"It's proven once again he could be the successor to Khawaja. He's going to do fantastic things in his career," Rogers, said. "I spoke to Campbell about it after and he wouldn't have faced that challenge throughout his career.
"But if he's going to go on and play international cricket then he will have to face things like that, where tall, fast bowlers are kind of aiming at his front shoulder.
"So that's something that he's going to have to work on, the positions he gets into. But to come out and get 50 and line the ball up so well against Starc and Hazlewood, I thought that was a real tick."
Prime Minister’s thoughts on the lineup
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is happy with the Australian domestic cricket system that has churned out potential stars who will feature in the game. He is looking forward to the Ashes 2025-26 which begins on November 21 in Perth.
"This team showcases the depth of talent in our domestic cricket system, and I'm particularly excited to see some of our emerging stars earn this opportunity,” he said.
"I am also looking forward to the Ashes commencing in Perth from 21 November, it's the oldest rivalry in world cricket - Australia and England in an Ashes Series always means something extra."
Prime Minister’s XI squad vs England -
Peter Handscomb (c), Benji Floros, Campbell Kellaway, Campbell Thompson, Charlie Anderson, Doug Warren, Hugh Weibgen, Joel Curtis, Nathan McSweeney, Oliver Peake, Peter Siddle, Sam Konstas, Sam Skelly.