Sam Konstas can take it from Steve Smith that he will learn plenty from his first subcontinent tour, even if he does not make it onto the pitch against Sri Lanka.
The batting wunderkind’s hopes of adding to his two Test caps took a hit when stand-in captain Smith confirmed Travis Head would partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order for the first Test beginning Wednesday.
Smith would not rule out 19-year-old Konstas slotting into the now vacant No.5 spot for the series opener in picturesque Galle.
But spare batters Josh Inglis and Nathan McSweeney each have more middle-order experience than Konstas, a specialist opener with only 13 first-class matches to his name.
It’s a bitter blow for Konstas, who flagged his immense batting talent in two victorious Tests that locked up Australia’s first series win over India in a decade.
Konstas showed no fear facing up to Indian pace ace Jasprit Bumrah with a half-century in his first innings at the MCG, before partnering with Khawaja to ignite the series-winning run chase in Sydney.
But an outstanding two-and-a-half Tests as an opener on the 2023 India tour ultimately made Head difficult for selectors to resist.
“He got after the new ball, scored quickly and put the pressure on them straight away. (It’s) similar thinking here,” Smith said.
If Konstas is overlooked in the XI for the two Tests against Sri Lanka, Smith’s own experience will serve as reminder not to despair.
As a 23-year-old spin-bowling allrounder without any subcontinent experience, Smith missed selection for the first two matches of Australia’s 2013 tour of India.
But when a disciplinary breach left vice-captain Shane Watson to be dropped for the third Test, Smith earned a call-up.
Sam Konstas. (Photo by Morgan Hancock – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
He made 92 runs in his first dig batting higher than six at Test level, and was captaining the team in Michael Clarke’s absence less than two years later.
In missing out, Smith was equipped to make the most of his first subcontinent chance.
“Just the amount of balls I was hitting in the nets, and the skills I was able to develop from facing loads of net bowlers and things like that,” Smith said.
“Whether he plays or not, I think it’s going to be a wonderful experience for him. He’s going to learn a lot.”
Australia won’t rule out taking two front-line quicks and two spinners rather than three tweakers, despite expectations of a turning wicket.
Scott Boland and Sean Abbott are both pace options but Smith is equally confident in medium-pace allrounder Beau Webster taking the new ball alongside veteran quick Starc.
“He stands the seam up really nicely, hits good areas. Whether it’s him opening the bowling with Mitchell Starc or a spinner opening, there’s always plenty of options there,” Smith said.
“There’s lots of considerations: Two fast-bowlers, one fast-bowler. Couple of spinners, three spinners, two spinners, allrounders.”
Left-arm offspinner Matthew Kuhnemann will be available for selection only two weeks after dislocating his thumb of his non-bowling hand in the Big Bash League.
“We’re kind of a bit gobsmacked,” Smith said. “Either he’s a tremendous actor or he’s got great pain tolerance.”
Smith won’t need strapping on his elbow after a minor BBL injury of his own healed “much better than expected”.
But he will be unable to throw in the field. “Fortunately, this part of the world I’ll be parked in the slips for the entire time,” Smith said.
“If I have to chase one to the boundary, hopefully one of my mates comes with me.”
Likely team: Travis Head (v-c), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Josh Inglis, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Todd Murphy, Nathan Lyon, Matt Kuhnemann/Scott Boland.
© AAP