Contemporary off changing into the third youngest participant to hit two centuries in the identical Sheffield Protect match, Sam Konstas’ push for a shock Check debut has gained momentum after he was named in Australia A’s squad to face the touring Indians.
Selectors revealed a 17-man squad for 2 four-day matches in opposition to India A in Mackay and Melbourne in early November, as a lead-in to the summer season’s blockbuster five-Check Border-Gavaskar Trophy collection.
25-year previous South Australian up-and-comer Nathan McSweeney will captain the group, whereas Konstas seems to be set to vie with former Check regulars Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris to open the batting within the group.
The 2 chosen may effectively have the within operating on the now-vacant spot in Australia’s order left by Cameron Inexperienced, who will miss the summer season after choosing surgical procedure on a again stress fracture.
Konstas, 19, emerged as a bona fide candidate for a maiden dishevelled inexperienced cap after hitting two centuries in opposition to South Australia within the opening Sheffield Protect spherical – his fifth first-class match – the youngest man to take action since an 18-year previous Ricky Ponting 31 years in the past.
He’s no stranger to worldwide cricket, both, rising to prominence with a century on the U19 Cricket World Cup earlier this yr in opposition to the West Indies.
“(Konstas) is 5 video games into his first-class profession. He seems to be actually organised and composed on the crease,” chief selector George Bailey stated.
“It’s good recognition that he’s been given the chance to play Australia A however I don’t assume it’s to the detriment or taking your eye off how constant Cam Bancroft and Marcus Harris have been.”
One other main contender to switch Inexperienced is in-form Tasmanian all-rounder Beau Webster, who additionally started the Protect season with a century in opposition to Victoria.
The 30-year previous was the main run-scorer final Protect season, making 938 runs at a mean of 58.62 with three centuries.
The choice is Webster’s first call-up to the Australia A squad since 2016.
Whereas Australia’s Check bowling assault is basically set in stone, six quick bowlers and two spinners have been named within the Australia A squad to struggle it out for reserve duties throughout the summer season.
Victorian Todd Murphy, Nathan Lyon’s deputy for the previous two years who changed him within the 2023 Ashes, and Western Australian spinner Corey Rocchiccioli, will possible vie for the spinner’s spot within the ultimate XI, whereas long-term understudies Scott Boland and Michael Neser are anticipated to guide the tempo assault alongside Jordan Buckingham, Nathan McAndrew, Mark Steketee and Victorian younger gun Fergus O’Neill.
Josh Philippe and Jimmy Peirson are the 2 wicketkeepers named within the squad, with Alex Carey’s possible major rival for Check duties, Josh Inglis, to face Pakistan in November’s ODI collection as a substitute.
Australia A squad to face India A: Nathan McSweeney (c), Cameron Bancroft, Scott Boland, Jordan Buckingham, Cooper Connolly, Ollie Davies, Marcus Harris, Sam Konstas, Nathan McAndrew, Michael Neser, Todd Murphy, Fergus O’Neill, Jimmy Peirson, Josh Philippe, Corey Rocchiccioli, Mark Steketee, Beau Webster.
with AAP