Sam Konstas confirmed for Boxing Day Test, Travis Head cleared to play

Australian coach Andrew McDonald has confirmed a teen sensation will make his debut, but doubt still lingers over one star.

Teenage opener Sam Konstas has won a dream Boxing Day Test debut, while Travis Head has been cleared to play in the MCG clash.

Australian coach Andrew McDonald declared Konstas a certain starter at his Christmas Eve press conference, making him the nation’s fourth-youngest Test debutant at 19 years and 85 days old.

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The coach said the New South Wales right-hander had the temperament to succeed in a baptism of fire against Indian star Jasprit Bumrah in front of a sellout crowd on Boxing Day.

Head was put through his paces in a running fitness test and net session on the morning of Christmas Day before captain Pat Cummins confirmed Australia’s No. 5 would play on Boxing Day.

It means there will be two changes to Australia’s side, with Scott Boland coming in for Josh Hazlewood and Konstas replacing Nathan McSweeney.

Australia XI for Boxing Day Test: Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

Sam Konstas will make his debut in the Boxing Day Test. Picture: William West / AFP

After Cricket Australia denied the destructive middle order star had suffered an injury during the match, McDonald confirmed on Tuesday he had hurt his quad while pushing for a single in the second innings at the Gabba.

Head was in deep conversation with McDonald and team physio Nick Jones after he briefly batted in the nets during Australia’s Christmas Eve training session.

It came after he did not attend the optional training the previous day, although McDonald said he had completed a running session.

Reserve bat Josh Inglis, who played at Marvel Stadium for the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash on Monday night, remained in the frame for a Test debut should Head be deemed unfit.

Head remains under a cloud. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/Getty Images)

“Yeah, really confident that (Head) will play. Has he got some things to work through? Yeah, he has, so that’s what you would have seen,” McDonald said.

“There’s no concern at the moment … I think he looked good with the bat in hand, so obviously his skills are in good order.

“(The lengthy conversation) was more around his fielding position and what he was capable of there … clearly coming off a strain, he’s obviously got the demands of bat-pad, so that’s all that was about.”

McDonald said Mitch Marsh would be ready to shoulder a greater bowling load in Melbourne as he claimed “weather interventions” had been the main reason behind the all-rounder only being called upon for two overs at the Gabba.

He also confirmed Victorian Scott Boland would return at his home venue in place of the injured Josh Hazlewood, but said the rest of the team would be confirmed by skipper Pat Cummins on Christmas Day.

“If we didn’t pick Scotty here … and I know I’m not allowed to declare the team, because that’s Pat’s job tomorrow, but I don’t think I’m coming to the ground Boxing Day if Scotty’s not in the XI,” McDonald said.

The coach talks it over with Travis Head. (Photo by William WEST / AFP)

The coach said Konstas would pose a “different challenge” to India’s quicks as he took Nathan McSweeney’s place alongside Usman Khawaja at the top of the order.

His selection comes after a bumper season he ignited with twin centuries in the Sheffield Shield opener before a classy hundred for the Prime Minister’s XI against India in Canberra last month.

An unbeaten 73 against India A in the second innings at the MCG along with a difficult Shield examination at the venue against Scott Boland had given him important experience at the venue.

“We want to throw a different challenge at India at this point in time. We believe Nathan (McSweeney) is good enough for Test level, (but) we weren’t sure about how the top order was functioning,” McDonald said.

“(Konstas) has been very similar to what I’ve seen on the outside with him – so composed, relaxed, knows his game, in a good place at the moment.

“We said from the get-go leading into the summer that … age was no barrier, and what he’s shown is an array of shots, the ability to put pressure back onto his opponents. We’re really excited for him.”

Originally published as Sam Konstas confirmed for Boxing Day Test, Travis Head cleared to play