Sam Konstas’ time is approaching, as out-of-form Aussies could be forced into Boxing Day changes

Selectors did the right thing to protect teen star Sam Konstas from being Nathan McSweeneyed – but Australia’s brittle batting means change must come fast, writes Robert Craddock.

The debate over Sam Konstas has changed from “if’’ to “when.’’

The boom New South Welshman is close and getting closer to Test selection. And Tasmanian all-rounder Beau Webster must be considered as well.

Australia’s selectors made an excellent call to leave Konstas out of the first three Tests because he could have easily been “Nathan McSweeneyed” by Jasprit Bumrah.

The odds appear in favour of McSweeney hanging on for the Boxing Day Test – just – but Konstas, according to former England captain Michael Vaughan, could appear as soon as the final Test in Sydney.

It’s downright extraordinary that Australia are 1-1 in this series despite batsmen with first names other than Travis averaging 24, 16, 14, 13 and 12.

Pat Cummins launched a measured defence of Australia’s top three by rightfully explaining that batting conditions in Australia have been tough for the new ball men.

But Australia’s average top three partnership of 25 this year is their lowest in Test history and tough conditions will never explain that stat away.

Bumrah has been unstoppable. Travis Head has scored 83 runs from 91 balls off Bumrah this series for an average of 41. The rest of the team are averaging six – repeat six – runs per dismissal against him!

Nathan McSweeney is no guarantee to play in the Boxing Day Test. Picture: Getty

Here is a snapshot of four batsmen under pressure.

NATHAN MCSWEENEY: In strife. McSweeney’s problem is that Bumrah is simply a far better bowler than he is a batsman – that is no disgrace.

We are talking about an all-time great against a player who has spent much of his Sheffield Shield career averaging in the mid-30s now batting in an unfamiliar position. The numbers said there could be only one winner and the numbers have not lied (even though he fell to Deep in the second innings).

McSweeney’s body language is starting to betray his sagging confidence and his place must be in jeopardy. His slow walk off the ground and shake of the head was that of a man finding the challenge overwhelming.

USMAN KHAWAJA: Khawaja turned 38 on Wednesday and has done brilliantly to hold Father Time at bay over the past few years to restart his international career in the hardest spot in the order in an era when openers are surviving on starvation rations.

But he has faded this year and his summer’s returns against the great Bumrah (four dismissals for 17) are brutal reading. Significantly, his previous returns against Bumrah were no dismissals from 154 balls so at his best could find a way.

Marnus Labuschagne's dismissal in Brisbane

MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE: Ever since Labuschagne committed to becoming a better white ball cricketer he had to concentrate on getting bat on ball outside off stump.

That glamourless but hugely underestimated weapon – the leave – was once a great strength of his game but playing at more balls has scrambled his radar and wobbled one of the key planks in his game.

MITCHELL MARSH: Popular, likeable character who adds to the fibre of the team but his numbers are worry.

Last year he Australia’s luckiest batsmen after being dropped six times but there’s very few second chances at the moment.

And the fact he bowled only two overs in India’s first innings means he cannot seriously be rated an all-rounder. That is a concern given his modest batting form this year and this series, with scores of 6, 47, 9, 5 and 2.

Originally published as Sam Konstas’ time is approaching, as out-of-form Aussies could be forced into Boxing Day changes