Australian teen talent Konstas given India chance

MELBOURNE :New South Wales teenage batting talent Sam Konstas has soared into selectors' calculations for the test series against India with his inclusion in the Australia A squad for matches against India A.

The 19-year-old opener struck twin centuries against South Australia last week, becoming the youngest player to do so in a Sheffield Shield match since Ricky Ponting.

With a test spot available due to Cameron Green's back injury, Konstas was named in a 17-man squad released on Monday for the four-day matches against India A in Mackay (Oct. 31-Nov. 4) and Melbourne (Nov. 7-10).

Selector George Bailey confirmed on Monday Australia will pick a new opener for the India series, with Steve Smith set to drop down the order after replacing retired opener David Warner for the last four tests against West Indies and New Zealand.

Although Konstas has played only five first-class matches, Bailey confirmed the exciting young talent is "in the mix" for test selection along with experienced openers Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris, who were also picked in the A squad.

"I think he's had a good start, he's five games into his first class career," Bailey told reporters.

"He looks really organised and composed at the crease.

"It’s good recognition that he’s been given the opportunity to play for Australia A but I don’t think it’s to the detriment or taking our eye off how consistent your Cam Bancrofts and Marcus Harrises have been."

Both Western Australia's Bancroft and Victoria batter Harris have experience at test level.

Bancroft, renowned for trying to hide a piece of sandpaper in his trousers during the Newlands ball-tampering scandal, played the last of his 10 tests in 2019 before being dropped midway through the Ashes.

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