‘We think he’s got a game that’s well-suited’ – George Bailey backs Sam Konstas to open in Sri Lanka Test series

Sam Konstas. (Photo Source: Daniel Pockett – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

19-year-old Australian top-order batter, Sam Konstas, broke into the arena of international cricket a couple of weeks back. Needless to say, he impressed one and all with his fearless approach in the four innings he has played so far. His very first knock was a quickfire half-century against the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and the rest. 

Chairperson of the selection committee of the Australian men’s side, George Bailey, shared his thoughts on Konstas’ prospects as a top-order batter in the Australian Test side going forward.    

“In truth, you never really know until someone’s faced with (subcontinent conditions). What we have seen is (that) he’s a quick learner, (and) absorbs a lot of information. From his spin play in Australia and the opportunities he has played in different parts of the world, we think he’s got a game that’s well-suited and a technique that can stand up” stated Bailey, as quoted by The Sydney Morning Herald. 

Also Read: Australia announce Test squad for Sri Lanka tour, Steve Smith to lead 

With that squad, we’ve got a number of options: Bailey

The former Australian skipper also shared that Travis Head could be one of the other alternatives as far as opening the batting on the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka is concerned.

“That’s one of the exciting things about this tour. We’ll learn a bit more about his game in different conditions to what he’s just faced in Australia. Trav’s an [opening] option clearly. With that squad, we’ve got a number of options,” added Bailey.

Recently, Australia announced their 16-member squad for their two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. Konstas, whose audacious strokeplay was the buzz of the town, was seelcted along with Nathan McSweeney. Interestingly, the latter was replaced by Konstas for the fourth and fifth Tests of the BGT. However, McSweeney has more of a reputation of being the more skilled at playing spin bowling.

Both the matches will be played in Galle. Against a proficient Sri Lankan bowling attack and challenging conditions, it promises to be an intriguing series.

Australia’s squad for Tests against Sri Lanka: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Cooper Connolly, Travis Head (vc), Alex Carey (wk), Josh Inglis (wk), Beau Webster, Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Todd Murphy, Matt Kuhnemann