Neil Harvey and Doug Walters back Sam Konstas to make Australian debut

Two of Australia’s greatest batsmen, who debuted as teenagers, have backed Sam Konstas to be thrown into the Boxing Day Test furnace, with one declaring “you cannot tell me he is too young”.

A pair of Australian batting legends who made their Test debuts as teenagers have urged selectors to be bold and unleash Sam Konstas in the Boxing Day Test.

Neil Harvey and Doug Walters were the same age as Konstas, 19, when they launched spectacular Test careers. And both are hoping the teenage whiz plays against India when the fourth Test gets under way in Melbourne this week.

“You cannot tell me he is too young to play,’’ said Harvey, who, at 96, is Australia’s oldest former Test cricketer.

“Nobody can tell me that because I have done exactly the same thing myself.

“It (playing as a teenager) didn’t do me much harm, did it? He has proved already he has the skills.

“If he has the temperament there is no reason why he cannot succeed. Being a teenager I think you play a bit more bravely. From what I have seen of him on television he looks ok.

“I am all for him being selected in the team and I wish him the best.’’

Harvey, a debonair left-handed batsmen who was Greg Chappell’s favourite player, is considered one of Australia’s greatest batsmen with his 79-Test career netting 6149 runs at 48.

Harvey scored just 13 off 17 in his debut Test in an Australian team captained by Sir Donald Bradman at the Adelaide Oval in January 1948 but soon rose to prominence as one of the finest batsmen of his generation.

Harvey said the decline in batting depth around the globe directly correlated to the growth of T20 cricket.

“Batsmen no longer have the right footwork – it can be a very difficult game if you don’t put your feet in the right place.’’

Neil Harvey has thrown his support behind Konstas. Photo: Matt King/Getty Images.

Doug Walters made his Aussie debut at 19, the same age as Konstas.

Walters, who made a stunning 155 on his Test debut against England at the Gabba and followed it with a century in the second Test, also feels that Konstas should be promoted from the squad into the team proper.

“What I have seen of him I have been very impressed with,’’ Walters said.

“Sometimes when you are young like he is you don’t have the nerves you get a bit later in your career.

“I saw him bat in the Prime Minister’s XI game against India and he looked good.’’

Walters admitted that the Indian fast bowling great Jasprit Bumrah would be a huge challenge – “I’m glad I am not facing him’’ – but he still hopes the youngster plays.

Australia is yet to make a decision on whether Konstas, Beau Webster or Josh Inglis will play on Boxing Day after Nathan McSweeney was dropped.

McSweeney was told when he was dropped that Australia was seeking a player with a different skill set with the obvious inference being someone, like Konstas, who played more aggressively.

Originally published as Neil Harvey and Doug Walters back Sam Konstas to make Australian debut