Adam Gilchrist urges Test selectors to consider Sam Konstas debut

Another Aussie great has joined the Sam Konstas bandwagon, revealing why he thinks the time is right for a Test debut.

Australian great Adam Gilchrist says handing a baggy green to Sam Konstas does not need to set a Test opening spot in stone, as joined a growing chorus of support for the 19-year-old.

Gilchrist said the prospect of Konstas being dropped after an early stint in the Test side against tough opposition should not deter selectors, given other champion batters had returned as improved players after losing their spots.

The former wicketkeeper pointed to Tasmanian duo Ricky Ponting (dropped after six Tests) and David Boon (dropped after four), who were given Test opportunities in their early 20s.

“Historically there’s been times where these situations have happened. I think David Boon got thrown in against the West Indies of ’84 – look at the career that he carved out, and he was a relative unknown then,” Gilchrist told SEN WA on Thursday.

Teenage opener Sam Konstas will play for Australia A next month and is in the frame for Test selection against India after twin centuries to start the Sheffield Shield season. Picture: Darrian Traynor / Getty Images

“Ricky Ponting was pretty young when he started, and nobody’s career … very few players get picked and play non-stop. They seem to get dropped at some point, then go away, learn a bit more and (come) back a better player.

“I don’t think we need to think that if someone like Konstas gets in there, it’s necessarily got to be the right option for the rest of time.

“There’s nothing wrong with giving a guy a go.”

After five matches against an Indian bowling attack led by lethal swing bowler Jasprit Bumrah, Australia’s Test side will tour Sri Lanka and the West Indies next year before the home Ashes.

Gilchrist said there would be no obvious time to ease a younger player into the line-up if the selectors were squeamish about blooding new talent against India.

“Whether it’s this year against Bumrah and co or next year, a player coming in to debut against the English line-up – if England have their fit fast bowlers, that’s going to be a baptism of fire as well,” he said.

“Mark Wood and Jofra Archer – that’s no easier task than what India are going to be producing this year.”

Originally published as Adam Gilchrist urges Test selectors to consider Sam Konstas debut