NewsBite

Sam Konstas backed for third Test against West Indies but the Ashes are another matter

Australia coach Andrew McDonald has addressed ongoing speculation around Sam Konstas’ spot at the top of the order, both for the immediate future and the summer ahead.

Sam Konstas has been all but assured of his spot for the third and final Test against the West Indies but Australian coach Andrew McDonald has again flagged a potential Sheffield Shield showdown to decide who will partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order in the Ashes.

With the Frank Worrell Trophy secured after the 133-run win in the second Test in Grenada, the Aussies are likely to name an unchanged side for the historic day-night Test in Kingston beginning on Sunday morning, meaning that teenager Konstas will be backed for another match despite making just 33 runs across four innings so far in the series.

But McDonald reiterated that the early rounds of the Shield season would play a substantial part in the selection picture ahead of the first Test against England that begins in Perth on November 21.

He has stressed that the environment in the West Indies - with up and down wickets and playing with a Dukes ball - did not correlate with typical Test conditions in Australia.

“If you sat here right now and the conditions were the same as what was presented in the first couple of Test matches, and everyone pulled up fine, then it’s highly unlikely for any changes (for the third Test),” McDonald said.

“Hopefully over a period of time, people have seen the style of the selection panel, and that is to support the players.

“But then there’s also the realisation that if a player needs to sit out, which is what the decision was with Marnus (Labuschagne), to regroup and grow, then we’re prepared to do that as well.

“I think that first sort of four rounds of Shield cricket will draw a better connection to the Ashes than what we’re seeing here.

“There’s great opportunity in domestic cricket at the start of the season, and there always is leading into any Test series.”

Pleased by Cameron Green’s second innings half-century, McDonald said he was also buoyed by Konstas’ small step forward in a proactive 25 in the first innings at St George’s, but conceded that the youngster would want greater output.

“I thought the way Sam Konstas went about it in the first innings, the method he applied, albeit only a small contribution, was an improvement on the first Test, and I thought Cameron Green (in) both innings, take out that over before lunch (on day one) where he made a couple of errors, the way that he was attacking that, the second innings was a big stride forward at a position that we think he can prosper in,” McDonald said.

“I think the challenges in Test cricket aren’t necessarily always your skill level or your technique. It’s dealing with the moments, the pressure, all the other things that externally come with that as well. So (Konstas is) a player finding his feet in the environment.”

The coach downplayed concerns around Khawaja’s run of repeat lbw dismissals to right-arm pace bowlers coming around the wicket, having previously backed the veteran to make it to the Ashes.

Usman Khawaja has been backed to get out of his current rut. Picture: Randy Brooks/AFP
Usman Khawaja has been backed to get out of his current rut. Picture: Randy Brooks/AFP

“I think the way Usman’s got out over his whole career has been very similar. He’s a guy who knows his game, he’s got a clear method, it’s really repeatable, his preparation’s repeatable and I said it’s been tricky for top order players, swinging Dukes ball,” McDonald said.

McDonald said the Aussies had still not made a call on whether Labuschagne would leave the tour early to play for Australia A or Glamorgan, with a decision not to be finalised until after the toss in Kingston.

But there are no such contemplations for Scott Boland, who will be warehoused in the event that he doesn’t play in Jamaica ahead of a planned build-up to the Ashes.

Konstas is also likely to be sent to India to play for Australia A in four-day matches but return in time to be available to play the early rounds of the Shield season ahead of the Perth Test.

Originally published as Sam Konstas backed for third Test against West Indies but the Ashes are another matter

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/cricket/sam-konstas-backed-for-third-test-against-west-indies-but-the-ashes-are-another-matter/news-story/bc935e2f03fc8415835e440aec4f9af4