Travis Head hints Sam Konstas will open in ICC WTC 2023-25 final against South Africa

Sam Konstas made his debut against India in the BGT 2024/25.

While he may have missed out on getting game time in Sri Lanka, Sam Konstas is very likely to open in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final against South Africa, which will be played at Lord’s in June. This indication has been given by Travis Head, who took Konstas’ place at the top in the ongoing series in Sri Lanka.

Konstas made a blockbuster debut against India in the BGT 2024/25, playing a key part in Australia’s wins in Melbourne and Sydney as the hosts sealed the series 3-1.

However, the 19-year-old was benched from the first test in Galle and is set to be carrying drinks in the second test as well. This is because Australia have earmarked Head to open in Asian conditions where he could get his eye in against the new ball before the spinners come on.

In the first test, Head slammed 57 off 40 balls to give a rapid start to Australia, allowing Usman Khawaja to settle down.

“Most likely I’d go back in the middle order and Sam would open. But I’m glad I’m not a selector,” Travis Head told reporters in Galle.

Sam Konstas was named the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year award at the Australian Cricket Awards recently, while Head bagged the Allan Border Medal for Best Men’s Cricketer of the Year and also the Best Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year.

Sam Konstas has got a huge future for Australia: Steve Smith

Australia’s stand-in captain in Sri Lanka, Steve Smith, praised Konstas’ attitude while not being part of the XI. Smith forecasts for a bright future in the Australian team for Konstas.

“I know there was a little bit of talk around whether he might play or not, whether there’s a series that, I guess, you can blood [him]. But whether he played or not played, it’s great to have him here and great to have him experience the conditions,” Smith said.

“I don’t think there’s been a Test match in the history that they’ve blooded someone or thought there was a free hit. We’re here to win 2-0, and Sam’s a big part of where we’re going. There’s no doubt about it.

“For someone to come in and take the game [on] the way he did in Melbourne, the confidence he’s got, it’s a good thing to have a young kid around that’s a bit naive and just plays the game the right way. He’s got a huge future for Australia. It’ll just be how he, over the years, deals with adversity. At this stage, he looks like he deals with it really well.”

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