Former Australian skipper Tim Paine picked up younger batting star Sam Konstas as a alternative for opening batter Usman Khawaja in Tests if the veteran hung up his boots. Paine was talking on SEN as Konstas participated within the two-match unofficial Test sequence towards India A. Konstas first style of main success was securing the ICC U19 World Cup title win with Australia this 12 months. In the match, Konstas scored 191 runs in seven innings at a mean of 27.28, together with a century.
During the India A-Australia A sequence, Konstas auditioned for Australia’s opener search, as an damage to all-rounder Cameron Green and combined outcomes have resulted in Steve Smith sliding down the order simply 4 Tests price of pattern dimension following David Warner’s retirement. During the sequence, Konstas failed in first match, scoring 0 and 16. In the second match on the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the batter scored three within the first innings and adopted it with a match-winning 73* throughout a 168-run chase. He competed with the likes of Nathan McSweeney, Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft for a spot as an opener.
So far within the ongoing Sheffield Shield season, Konstas has emerged because the main run-getter with 452 runs in six innings at a mean of 90.40, together with two centuries and a fifty.
While Paine is in no hurry to have Australia transfer on from Khawaja, he appears at Konstas as a long-term alternative, given some promising returns at 19 years of age. He additionally expressed hope that Khawaja doesn’t name it qui
“Out of the four guys (Konstas, Harris, Bancroft, McSweeney), that are playing right now, I think they would lean to a Sam Konstas if something were to happen to a second opener,” stated Paine as quoted by SEN.
“I said to you last week, he played a few shots last week that you can tell he is going to be a gun, you can tell he is going to handle the occasion. The timing for me looks to be lining up that he would be the one who would replace Usman when he decides to call time.”
Filling up Khwaja’s sneakers can be fairly a activity for younger Konstas. In 73 Tests all through a 13-year-long profession, the 37-year-old has made 5,451 runs at a mean of 45.80, with 15 centuries and 26 fifties in 131 innings, with the very best rating of 195*.
After a return to the Test facet in 2022 following three years on the sideline after being dropped in 2019, Khawaja is within the type of his life, having made 2,564 runs in 29 Tests at a mean of 53.42, with seven centuries and 12 fifties in 54 innings and greatest rating of 195*.
So far since his debut in first-class cricket final 12 months, Konstas has scored 549 runs in eight matches and 14 innings at a mean of 42.23, with two centuries and two fifties. His greatest rating is 152.
The much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar sequence between India and Australia kicks off on November 22, with the primary Test at Perth.
The second Test, that includes the day-night format, will happen underneath lights at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. Fans will then flip their consideration to The Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test from December 14 to 18.
The conventional Boxing Day Test, scheduled from December 26 to 30 at Melbourne’s iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, will mark the sequence’ penultimate stage.
The fifth and closing Test shall be held on the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7, promising an thrilling climax to a extremely anticipated sequence.
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