Teen Konstas to open for Australia in Boxing Day India Test

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Sam Konstas will open the batting for Australia in the fourth Test against India, coach Andrew McDonald said on Tuesday as he expressed confidence leading batsman Travis Head will be able to play.

Konstas was called up after the selectors dumped Nathan McSweeney after just three Tests, with the 19-year-old tasked with fending off India spearhead Jasprit Bumrah alongside an underperforming Usman Khawaja.

“He will play Boxing Day,” McDonald told reporters, referring to the teenager as “composed, relaxed”.

“We have said from the start, leading up to this summer, that we would not back down and age was no obstacle.

“What he has shown is a range of shots and an ability to put pressure on his opponents and he will get his opportunity.

“Really excited for him – Boxing Day, the biggest stage.”

Konstas becomes Australia’s youngest Test debutant since current skipper Pat Cummins took the field against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2011

It could be a baptism of fire, with an expected 90,000 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and temperatures expected to reach 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) on Thursday.

Konstas pounced on the frame after becoming the youngest player since Ricky Ponting to score two centuries in the same Sheffield Shield match.

He also slammed a century playing for the Prime Minister’s XI against India.

The five-match series is tied 1-1 after India won by 295 runs in Perth before being crushed by 10 wickets in Adelaide. The rain-affected third Test in Brisbane was drawn.

Head is the highest run scorer in the series, plundering aggressive centuries in both Adelaide and Brisbane. But he picked up a minor hamstring strain at the Gabba.

McDonald said he expected him to play but Head still had “some things to work through”.

“I’m pretty sure he’ll play,” he added.

“He’s been able to handle his run. I think he’ll be fully functional when the game comes.”