Cricket teenager Konstas makes debut in fourth Test…

Teenager Sam Konstas will make his Test debut in the cauldron of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday as Australia look to take the fight to India’s bowlers, coach Andrew McDonald said on Tuesday.

Konstas, 19, was brought into the squad at the expense of Nathan McSweeney after Australia’s top order struggled for runs in the first three Tests of the series, which is tied 1-1 with two matches to play.

“He’s composed, relaxed, knows his game is in a good place at the moment, he wants to play Boxing Day,” McDonald told reporters at the MCG.

“We said from the start that age was no barrier. And what he has shown is a range of shots, the ability to put pressure on the opposition again and he will get his opportunity.

‘We’re really excited for him, Boxing Day, the biggest stage. He might as well get it out of the way early.’

With bowlers, particularly Indian spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, dominating the series so far, McDonald said switching McSweeney for Konstas was a tactical move.

Aussie selectors have confirmed Sam Konstas will make his Test debut this week at the MCG

Pat Cummins’ side have prepared for the fourth Test this week in Melbourne, with the series tied 1-1

Konstas, 19, was brought into the squad at the expense of Nathan McSweeney after Australia’s top order struggled for runs in the first three Tests of the series

“We want to throw another challenge at India at this time,” he said.

‘We think Nathan is good enough for Test level. We weren’t sure how the top order worked.

‘We challenged ourselves for that decision. Whether it works or not, time will tell (but) we’re really confident that Sam can do the job.’

McDonald was also confident that Travis Head, who has scored 409 runs with two centuries in the first three Tests, would be able to play despite a quad strain that prevented him from training on Monday.

‘Does he have some things to work through? Yes, he has,” McDonald said.

‘There is no concern at the moment. Has he been officially crossed off? I’m not sure. I didn’t see the back end of his practice there, but I’m pretty sure he’ll play.

“I think he will be fully functional when the game comes.”

While McDonald said captain Pat Cummins would reveal the rest of Australia’s line-up for Wednesday’s match, he all but confirmed Scott Boland would come in for the injured Josh Hazlewood in the pace attack.

Question marks have surrounded star batsman Travis Head after he suffered a quad strain in the run-up to the game

Andrew McDonald also moved to quash rumors about Mitchell Marsh’s health (pictured) and suggested the all-rounder would play a bigger role with ball in hand

“I don’t think I’ll make it to the ground on Boxing Day if Scotty isn’t in the 11,” he joked.

McDonald also moved to quash rumors about Mitchell Marsh’s health, suggesting the all-rounder would play a bigger role with ball in hand than he did in the drawn-out third Test in Brisbane.

“Mitch Marsh is fully fit and available to bowl,” he said.

‘I know he only bowled two overs last game and people speculated about that, but it was more because of the weather intervention so we were able to keep our fast bowlers fresh.’