Sam Konstas: Australia call up 19-year-old teenage star for final two matches of India Test series
Australia call up uncapped 19-year-old rising star Sam Konstas ahead of fourth Test against India, days after his starring Big Bash League debut; Five-match Test series resumes on Boxing Day in Melbourne with scores level at 1-1 after the test Third ended in draw amid repeat rain delays
Friday 20 December 2024 11:16, UK
Teenager Sam Konstas has been called up to the Australia squad for the final two matches of their Test series against India at the expense of Nathan McSweeney.
The uncapped Konstas was on Friday included in Australia's 15-player squad for the decisive final two Tests, with paceman Jhye Richardson the other new face replacing injured fast bowler Josh Hazlewood.
At 19 years and 85 days, Konstas would become the fourth-youngest test debutant in Australian history if selected for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, and youngest since current captain Pat Cummins in 2011.
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His call-up comes two days after the opening batter made history on his Big Bash League debut for Sydney Thunder by becoming the youngest man to score a half-century in the competition.
The Australia-India series is level 1-1 after the rain-affected draw ending Wednesday at the Gabba in Brisbane.
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India won the first Test by 295 runs at Perth, while Australia came back to win the second day-night Test in Adelaide by 10 wickets.
"Sam gets a call up to the test squad for the first time. His style of batting offers a point of difference and we look forward to watching his game develop further," chief selector George Bailey said.
"We remain confident Nathan has the ability and temperament to succeed at test level in the future. It was a difficult decision to leave him out."
Konstas' inclusion has pushed McSweeney out of the frame after both he and fellow opener Usman Khawaja misfired across the first three Tests against India. Neither made a score above 40 this series.
Paceman Scott Boland is expected to be called into the XI to replace Hazlewood at the MCG, where he memorably took 6-7 in the second innings of his test debut three years ago.
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, Beau Webster.
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