19-year-old Sam Konstas has been added to Australia’s Test squad for the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy for the remaining two Tests to be held in Melbourne and Sydney. The teenage prospect represented the Prime Minister’s XI and scored an impressive century against India in a warm-up match in Canberra earlier this month.
Perth debutant Nathan McSweeney had his fair share of problems against Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah which resulted in his removal from the squad. “The squad offers options as to how we structure the XI for the final two Tests of the series,” chief selector George Bailey said of the selected group.
“Sam has been called up to the Test team for the first time. His batting style provides a point of difference and we look forward to seeing his game develop further. We are confident Nathan (McSweeney) has the ability and temperament to succeed at Test level in the future. It was a difficult decision to let him go.” ,” he added. “It’s obviously been a challenge for the batsmen at the top of the order in this series and we want to offer a different line-up option for the next two games.”
With changes in the batting department, after Josh Hazlewood was ruled out of the series due to injury, the selectors have replaced him with West Australian Jha Richardson. The 28-year-old player has taken 11 wickets at an average of 22.09 in the three Tests he has played so far. Richardson’s career, once considered a fast bowler with a lot of potential in Australian cricket, has declined due to injuries.
Team Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Travis Head (vc), Steve Smith (vc), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh English, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschran, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Roy Richardson, Mitchell Starc , Beau Webster
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