Australia's batting sensation Sam Konstas' opening spot isn't still certain despite emerged as a star performer during the just-concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Konstas may not secure a place in the Australian playing XI for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, which is scheduled to start from January 29.
Sam Konstas' opening spot in danger for Test series against Sri Lanka
Australia's chief selector George Bailey hinted at this possibility during a press conference following the squad announcement. Bailey said that Australia might consider promoting Travis Head to the opening position, a strategy they successfully employed in the previous Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India.
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Konstas, who dazzled with the bat in his debut Test match in Melbourne, played a crucial role in Australia's successful chase in the final Test of the series. However, his position as an opener appears uncertain. Depending on the nature of the pitches in Sri Lanka, Konstas may be moved down the batting order or even dropped from the playing XI entirely.
“Trav’s an option (to open). We’ve got a number of options and there’s been a few preliminary discussions around where that may land, and that may depend on the makeup of that first XI. I think (head coach) Andrew (McDonald,) and (stand-in captain) Steve (Smith) will settle on that in due course, once we hit Sri Lanka,” Bailey told cricket.com.au.
Travis Head, who cracked two blistering centuries in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-2025 against India, boasts a good track record while opening in subcontinent conditions. He successfully filled the void left by legendary David Warner during the 2023 tour of India, accumulating 90 runs at a strike rate of 55.21.
Australia announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka Test series with some surprise inclusions. Notably, Steven Smith will assume the captaincy in the absence of Pat Cummins, who is on paternity leave.
Sam Konstas, who impressed with his performances against India in the two Tests, will remain in contention for a starting spot in the Sri Lankan series.
“What we have seen is he’s (Konstas) a quick learner. (He) absorbs a lot of information. So (we’re) expecting him to get to get a lot out of it. I know from his spin play in Australia, and the opportunities he’s (had) in different parts of the world, we think he’s got a game that’s well suited, and a technique that can stand up," Bailey added.
“But that’s one of the exciting things about this tour – we will learn a bit more about his game in different conditions to what he’s just faced in Australia,” he concluded.
Australia's Test squad for Sri Lanka series:
Steve Smith (captain), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.