Sam Konstas is likely to remain out of the playing XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka.
Having lost his spot in the first Test, Konstas doesn’t seem to have much of a chance in the second match either. However, Travis Head, who opened the innings in his place, believes the young batter will reclaim his spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
Konstas made an impression in the last two Tests against India, opening the innings with confidence. While he couldn’t convert his starts into big scores, he did register a fifty and caught attention with his fearless approach.
For the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, Australia’s team management opted for Head as an opener alongside Usman Khawaja, considering his past success in subcontinent conditions. The decision paid off, as Head smashed a quickfire 57 off 40 balls. Australia went on to post a massive 654/6 and secured a dominant innings victory.
With the second Test starting on Thursday at the same venue, Head is expected to continue as Khawaja’s opening partner. Meanwhile, Josh Inglis, who scored a century on debut in the middle order, has strengthened his place in the XI. This means Konstas might have to remain on the sidelines for now.
The WTC final is set to take place in June at Lord’s, England. Australian head coach Andrew McDonald has already hinted at a different batting order for the clash against South Africa.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday in Galle, Head acknowledged the intense competition for spots in the team.
“(In the WTC final) I will most likely move back to the middle order, and Sam (Konstas) will open. But I’m glad I’m not a selector. Josh (Inglis) has had a fantastic start, the guys are playing well, and Greeni (Cameron Green) will be fit. So, fitting everyone in will be tough. But I think that’s what we want – an Australian team where earning a spot is difficult.”
“What we do know is that both the players in the squad and those on the fringes expect strong performances. That’s where the pressure comes from – trying to hold onto your place in the XI, knowing someone is waiting behind you. We’re in a strong position. It’s always better to have discussions about seven or eight batters rather than just three or four.”
