Australia’s Teen Opener Leaves Sri Lanka Before 2nd Test!! Future Revealed By Veteran Batter

Australia’s young sensational batter, Sam Konstas’ Sri Lanka tour is officially over with the star opener returning home to play the last few group-stage games for New South Wales (NSW) in the Sheffield Shield Cricket.

He didn’t feature in the opening Test at the Galle International Stadium as the national side decided to go with the new opening stand of Usman Khawaja and Travis Head.

Since their veteran opener, David Warner, decided to retire from the longest format, the team has been struggling to find a solid red-ball opener.

They tried many players in the position. Their former captain, Steve Smith, moved up to open the innings, but his lack of drop didn’t work for the defending champions of the World Test Championship (WTC).

Sam Konstas is to open for Australia during the WTC 2023-25 final vs South Africa

Nathan McSweeney replaced Smith for the first three Tests against India during the home summer in the five-match series of the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25.

But his poor form of 72 runs in six innings didn’t inspire belief among the selectors. On the flip side, Sam Konstas drilled a fine century during the two-day pink-ball contest to get under the selectors’ attention.

Konstas got the Test debut cap during the fourth red-ball encounter at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Boxing Day. On his very first game, the right-handed batter showed his aggressive version of nailing Jasprit Bumrah around the park to set a high standard. His 60-run knock was decorated with a flurry of boundaries and over boundaries, as he finished the last two Tests with 113 runs in four innings.

Also Read: Jasprit Bumrah Bowled At Mitchell Marsh In Backyard Cricket? Veteran Reveals BGT 2024-25 Nightmare

Despite these impressive two Tests, Sam was replaced by veteran Head in the week’s series opener in Galle. With the left-handed providing Australia a great platform with a speedy half-century, Konstas was supposed to miss the selection for the second fixture. He trained with the team at the main session in Galle on February 04 before packing his bags to return home, as Cricket Australia confirmed.

Sam Konstas to get an opportunity for Australia A

Australia’s selectors determined the 19-year-old would be better in serving the NSW line-up for their next encounter against Queensland at the Gabba on February 08.

He has never played at that venue and it will be better for him to spend some time in the middle rather than watching the game from the sidelines in Galle.

The experience value is vital for any Test opener. It was part of the reason for Nathan McSweeney getting the nod at the start of the BGT 2024-25, while Konstas didn’t feature at either the Gabba or Adelaide Oval. Australia will have concussion substitutes in Sam’s absence.

The tour was his first with the national squad to the subcontinent, but he previously attended the development camps in Chennai and Sri Lanka. He may have an additional opportunity to show his skills against spin with an Australia A tour of India later in 2025.

Travis Head reveals opener's future

Their next red-ball encounter will be the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final against South Africa at Lord’s in London. During the recent press conference, Head noted that Konstas would have learned from the touring experience.

Also Read: India Adds KKR Spinner For 3 ODIs vs England!! No Fitness Update On Jasprit Bumrah

“Sam's a big part of where we're going, there's no doubt about it. Disappointed that he missed out on the first Test, but great for him to be here, great for him to be experiencing conditions.” Head addressed.

“Most likely, I'll go back in the middle order, and Sam will open.” The southpaw claimed.

After a tough home summer for Australia’s top-order batters, they enjoyed a great first week in Sri Lanka as Khawaja celebrated a double century. Smith and Josh Inglis also registered their respective centuries in the clash.