BGT 2024-25: Sam Konstas to make debut in Boxing Day test, confirms Australia coach Andrew McDonald

Sam Konstas will become the fourth youngest Australian to play test cricket.

Australia had made a bold decision in the lead-up to the Boxing Day test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25, dropping opener Nathan McSweeney after just three matches to bring in Sam Konstas.

Born on October 1, 2005, Konstas has been a rising star in Australian cricket.

The 19-year-old was in contention for selection ahead of the BGT 2024-25, but was initially overlooked in favour of McSweeney. The New South Wales batter, however, grabbed the spotlight with a sensational century against India in a practice game before the day-night test in Canberra.

Konstas has been in excellent form in domestic cricket. The young Australian opener has so far registered 718 runs in 18 First-Class (FC) innings at an average of 42.23. Furthermore, he also scored a 31-ball fifty for Sydney Thunder against Adelaide Strikers in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 2024-25 on December 17.

Two days before the Boxing Day test, Australian coach Andrew McDonald has now confirmed that Sam Konstas will make his debut at the MCG.

Australia coach Andrew McDonald confirms Sam Konstas’ debut in the Boxing Day test

Speaking to the media after training on Tuesday, Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald confirmed that Sam Konstas will make his test debut in the Boxing Day clash against India, which starts on December 26. He shared that selector Tony Dodemaide has already conveyed the news to Konstas.

“We said from the get go, when leading into the summer, that we wouldn’t shy away, and age was no barrier,” told McDonald while talking about the 19-year-old.

McDonald went on praising the youngster for his shots and added, “What he has showin is an array of shots, the ability to put pressure back on to opponents and he gets his opportunity. We’re really excited for him.”

McDonald also announced that Scott Boland would replace the injured Josh Hazlewood.

He said, “If we didn’t pick Scotty here, and I’m not allowed to declare the team, because that’s Pat’s job tomorrow, but I don’t think I’m coming to the ground Boxing Day if Scotty is not the XI. So you can go with that as well,“

Australia’s squad for Boxing Day test

Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc and Beau Webster.

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