Sam Konstas set to be axed for Sri Lanka series with Travis Head promoted to opener
Sam Konstas has already lost his spot as Australia’s Test opener and now he appears highly unlikely to feature against Sri Lanka at all.
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Australian selectors have ignored the urgings of former Test captain Ricky Ponting to stick with teen star Sam Konstas in Sri Lanka, promoting Travis Head to opener for Wednesday’s first Test in Galle.
And the writing is on the wall that Konstas is unlikely to feature on the Sri Lankan tour at all.
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As pointed out by veteran cricket reporter Bharat Sundaresan, his likely replacement, Josh Inglis, was seen taking catches on the boundary ahead of the first Test.
“You wouldn’t be taking boundary catches on the eve of a Test if you’re otherwise a wicketkeeper unless you’re playing the next day as a specialist batter,” Sundaresan wrote on X.
Sundaresan also confirmed Konstas didn’t bat in the nets during the Aussies’ training session, while Inglis did.
And on Tuesday interim Test captain Steve Smith confirmed Head would open the batting alongside veteran Usman Khawaja.
“Trav will go to the top, outside of that I think it will be pretty stable,” Smith told reporters prior to Australia’s final pre-Test training session.
“I don’t see it being a great deal of change from that. The selectors liked what they saw in India when he (Head) had that opportunity.
“He got after the new ball, scored quickly and put the pressure on them straight away so I guess similar thinking here.”
Head opened the batting with some success against India during a Test tour of the subcontinent in 2023 and has been given the nod once again, with a spin heavy approach expected.
While the Aussies prefer Inglis’ ability to play spin and his mastery to hit the ball to all parts of the ground on a pitch over the likes of Konstas.
But the news is a bitter blow for Konstas, who showcased his raw batting talent in two Test triumphs that secured Australia’s first series win over India in a decade.
Konstas showed no fear against the world’s top bowler Jasprit Bumrah, with a range of flashy shots in his first innings at the MCG before getting the Aussies off on the right foot in what was the series-winning run chase in Sydney.
And while Konstas surely would have liked an extended run as Test opener to establish himself in that role, he can take it from Smith that even being part of a subcontinent tour can do him the world of good.
As a 23-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder without any subcontinent experience, Smith wasn’t selected for the first two matches of Australia’s 2013 tour of India.
But when Shane Watson was dropped for the third Test, Smith earned a call-up and from there cemented himself in the team.
And Smith spoke about just how good being around the Australian squad was for him before getting his opportunity.
“Just the amount of balls I was hitting in the nets, and the skills I was able to develop from facing loads of net bowlers and things like that,” Smith said.
“Whether he plays or not, I think it’s going to be a wonderful experience for him (Konstas). He’s going to learn a lot.”
Australia last played in Sri Lanka in 2022 when the series ended 1-1.
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Originally published as Sam Konstas set to be axed for Sri Lanka series with Travis Head promoted to opener