Teenage prodigy Sam Konstas has wasted another opportunity to impress the national selectors ahead of this month’s first Test, falling to a horrible dismissal in Australia A’s clash with India A on Saturday. Dismissed for a third-ball duck in the first innings at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, Konstas was building momentum in the second before, on 16 (33 balls), he shouldered arms to an angled delivery from fast bowler Mukesh Kumar and had his off stump knocked out of the ground. With national selector Tony Dodemaide watching on, Konstas looked back at his stumps in disbelief at what had transpired, his hopes of playing in the first Test against India in Perth from November 22 taking a major hit.
After back-to-back centuries for NSW against South Australia to open the Sheffield Shield season, Konstas’ form has tapered off. Loading His hopes of featuring in the five-Test series were not enhanced by comments from national coach and selector Andrew McDonald this week, who pointed out Konstas, with only six first-class games to his credit, had “limited experience in Perth, pink-ball games, and then [we are] off to the Gabba”. However, McDonald said Konstas was a fast learner.
In what is a battle for the vacancy at the top of the Test order, Marcus Harris, who opened with Konstas, Cameron Bancroft and Nathan McSweeney all hope to impress in Australia A’s second innings. Harris made only 17 in the first innings, having been dropped on eight, before falling in famil.