Pat Cummins, Sam Konstas contracts: How India series win will shape Australia’s Test future

Captain Pat Cummins is undoubtedly the top of Australian cricket’s food chain, but wunderkind Sam Konstas’ Test future, and role in the Ashes, may soon gain some important clarity.

Pat Cummins will retain his top ranking and Sam Konstas will land his first deal in an Australian cricket contract list saved from renovation by a summer of success.

Had India won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and Australia struggled in Sri Lanka Australia’s selectors would have been duty bound to make more serious surgery on their 20-or-so list of contracted players.

But Australia is riding high in the saddle after beating India 3-1 then trouncing Sri Lanka in the first Test in Galle so the major moves are likely to come after next summer’s Ashes in Australia.

Australian captain Pat Cummins with the Mullagh Medal for man of the match in the Boxing Day Test. Picture: Michael Klein

Usman Khawaja may have struggled against Jasprit Bumrah but his double century against Sri Lanka will ensure he plays on to next year’s Ashes where he perhaps has the chance to finish his Test career where he started it, in front of his family at the SCG.

Mitchell Marsh, whose Test career looks over, looks set to cop a haircut on the contract list but will remain on it for his duties as a white ball player and captain.

The list is likely to see Travis Head gain a pay rise after winning the Allan Border Medal by 50 votes due to his excellence across all formats.

Konstas is set for his first appearance on the list with the expectation he will open for Australia in the Ashes.

Sam Konstas made a stunning entrance to the Test squad during the summer. Picture: AFP

Had he played a Test in Sri Lanka Konstas would have been upgraded to the list for playing three Tests. But he is unlikely to play in the second Test on Thursday, meaning he will fall one Test short.

Steve Smith, with three recent Test centuries, is back in form though is uncertain whether he will play beyond the Ashes next summer.

Barring his year-long suspension for ball-tampering, Smith has been anchored near the top of Australia’s contract list for a decade and that is where he will stay.

The Ashes is often a landmark moment for players when considering their futures.

Pat Cummins, 31, Josh Hazlewood, 34, and Mitchell Starc, 35, have had long-lasting careers and there has been no indication any of them are planning for the pipe and slippers after the Ashes.

While the Ashes are Australia’s overwhelming priority for the selectors in the next contract year the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka will also catch the selectors eye with short form stars like Matt Short likely to be retained on the list.

Originally published as Pat Cummins, Sam Konstas contracts: How India series win will shape Australia’s Test future