The Australian selectors have unveiled their squad for the upcoming Boxing Day Test against India, dropping opening batsmen Nathan McSweeney and calling up teenage prodigy Sam Konstas.
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The South Australian made his Test debut only a month ago, batting out of position at the top of the order, having never opened the batting at state level.
He failed to make more than 10 in five of his six Test innings to date, and selectors have no swung the axe with a potential debut looming for Konstas.
NSW seamer Sean Abbot has also earnt a call-up, while Beau Webster and Josh Inglis remain in the squad alongside Jhye Richardson who is another surprise inclusion.
Konstas’ call-up marks his first at national level after impressive form across all formats leading into the Border Gavaskar series, being the only other specialist opener outside of Usman Khawaja in the current squad.
Should 18-year-old Konstas earn his Test debut, he would become the youngest to be awarded a baggy green since current skipper Pat Cummins.
He was 18 years 193 days when he appeared against South Africa in 2011, while Konstas turned 19 on October 2 this year.
The New South Welshman scored back-to-back centuries in a Sheffield Shield clash against South Australia earlier this year, belting 152 and 105 in that game.
Then he later hit 73 not out for Australia A against India A, as well as a ton for the Prime Minister’s XI and a blistering half century on BBL debut for the Thunder.
Speaking following his BBL appearance, the rising star was pressed on his potential Test debut.
“It would be a dream come true,” he said
“Maybe I’d get a little nervous before the game, but I’ve worked really hard for that. Hopefully, it happens one day, but we’ll see.”
Meanwhile, chairman of selectors George Bailey remained confident McSweeney will at some point return to the Test arena, pointing to Konstas’ “style of batting” as a reason behind his inclusion.
“The squad provides options as to how we structure the XI for the final two Tests of the series,” Bailey said in a statement.
“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.
“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.
“It has clearly been a challenge at the top of the order for batters throughout the series and we want to provide the option of a different line up for the next two matches.
“In the absence of Josh Hazlewood, Jhye provides further options in the fast bowling space. It has been pleasing to see his successful return throughout the early part of the domestic summer.”
According to statistics provider CricViz’s head of insight Ben Jones, McSweeney’s tenure was the “toughest of anyone” since data has been recorded.
FULL SQUAD
Pat Cummins (NSW/Penrith Cricket Club) (c)
Sean Abbott (NSW/Parramatta District Cricket Club)
Scott Boland (VIC/Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club)
Alex Carey (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)
Travis Head (SA/Tea Tree Gully Cricket Club) (vc)
Josh Inglis (WA/Joondalup Cricket Club)
Usman Khawaja (QLD/Valley District Cricket Club)
Sam Konstas (NSW/Sutherland District Cricket Club)
Marnus Labuschagne (QLD/Redlands Cricket Club)
Nathan Lyon (NSW/Northern District Cricket Club)
Mitchell Marsh (WA/Fremantle Cricket Club)
Jhye Richardson (WA/Fremantle Cricket Club)
Steve Smith (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club) (vc)
Mitchell Starc (NSW/Manly Warringah Cricket Club)
Beau Webster (TAS/Kingborough Cricket Club)
