Tim Paine's truth bomb for Sam Konstas as teen's axing confirmed for first Sri Lanka Test
The decision goes against the pleas of Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke.
Former Test captain Tim Paine has explained why Sam Konstas' axing for the first cricket Test against Sri Lanka makes complete sense. However it goes against the pleas of Aussie cricket legends Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke.
Steve Smith confirmed on Tuesday that Travis Head will open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja. And after the toss it was confirmed Josh Inglis would replace Konstas in the XI. Smith, who is standing in as Test captain for Pat Cummins in Sri Lanka, told reporters that Head will move up from No.5 and open the batting in Galle. He also confirmed Todd Murphy would replace Scott Boland in the side.
The Aussies prefer Head as an opener in the subcontinent as he performs much better against the new ball than when it's spinning sideways down at No.5. Smith confirmed Konstas would be left out of the XI after Australia won the toss and elected to bat. Leading reporter Bharat Sundaresan - who is in Sri Lanka for the Test series - also revealed on Tuesday that Konstas didn't bat in the nets during the Aussies' training session, but Inglis did. Inglis was later handed his baggy green 30 minutes before the toss.
Tellingly, Inglis was also spotted taking catching practice in the outfield, which Sundaresan believes is a sign he'll play. "You wouldn’t be taking boundary catches on the eve of a Test if you’re otherwise a wicket-keeper unless you’re playing the next day as a specialist batter," he wrote on social media.
Sundaresan earlier suggested the Aussies prefer Inglis' skills against spin and ability to score to all parts of the ground. "With Travis Head at top, and potentially Josh Inglis in the middle on debut, Australia clearly keen on having batters who can hit the ball to odd areas or who possess the whole gamut of sweep shots," he wrote.
And now Inglis has run off to have a hit as well. Looking likelier now that a Test debut is in the offing in Galle https://t.co/S0RDAZXRTY
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 28, 2025
Tim Paine responds after Sam Konstas replaced
Speaking on SEN radio on Wednesday morning, Paine hailed coach Andrew McDonald and selector George Bailey for making the brave call. "I like it, and I like the fact they're big on strategy and how to win in different conditions," Paine said.
"While it's disappointing for Sam Konstas and everyone who has enjoyed watching the way he's gone about it, it's the right decision for today. It's also good for Konstas just to tour the subcontinent and experience those conditions, but you probably don't want a young kid going out and experiencing those conditions for the first time in a Test match and trying to find his way."
Steve Smith explains Travis Head's promotion to open
Despite Konstas' axing, Smith suggested this tour would be huge for the youngster. The stand-in skipper said regardless of whether he plays or not, the 19-year-old will still gain plenty of valuable experience in the nets in Sri Lanka.
Smith pointed to his own experience while touring India for the first time in 2013. "Just the amount of balls I was hitting in the nets, and the skills I was able to develop from facing loads of net bowlers and things like that," he said. "Whether he plays or not, I think it's going to be a wonderful experience for him. He's going to learn a lot."
As for Head, the South Australian averaged 55.75 runs across two-and-a-half Tests while opening the batting in India in 2023 after replacing David Warner - who went home with a fractured jaw. "He did really nicely in India against the new ball," Smith explained. "He put spinners under pressure immediately and we know how well he hits the seam as well if they come with that. It's going to be good fun watching him."
A poll of over 20,000 Yahoo Sport Australia readers has revealed the majority wanted Konstas and Khawaja to open against Sri Lanka. Konstas and Head is the second most popular option, with Head and Khawaja the least-preferred.
RELATED:
Travis Head's admission about family in massive call on cricket future
Ricky Ponting's pointed message after Khawaja makes retirement call
Sam Konstas decision goes against Ponting and Clarke call
The decision to promote Head at the expense of Konstas goes against the wishes of former Test captains Ponting and Clarke, who both said recently that Konstas should play. "I personally wouldn’t do that (move Head)," Ponting said on SEN radio.
“I wouldn't be moving Konstas either. I think it's a great opportunity for this Australian team to blood these young blokes, especially on a tour like this to Sri Lanka, which is so different, it's going be so foreign to probably anything that he's ever done before in his life."
Khawaja also said he'd prefer for Konstas to remain, while Clarke pointed out that Head will have to face spin no matter where he bats. "Conditions are very different (in Sri Lanka) but Trav has been extraordinary through the middle order," he said last week.
"I don’t think it’s going to matter. If you’re going to open the batting, you’re going to start against spin. If you bat five, you’re going to walk in against spin. Get used to facing spin bowling because you’ll get two Test matches of it."