IND vs AUS, Boxing Day Test: Who is Sam Konstas, the Australian opener who replaced Nathan McSweeny in BGT squad?

Australia announced its squad for the remaining two Tests against India in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Friday. However, the spotlight has been firmly on 19-year-old opening batter Sam Konstas.

The right-handed batter replaces fellow opener Nathan McSweeny in the squad following the latter’s below-par performances. McSweeny, 25, who made his Test debut in the series opener in Perth, struggled for form, managing scores of 10, 0, 39, 10 not out, 9, and 4 in his six innings.

Konstas, on the other hand, has been on the radar of Cricket Australia’s selection committee after a series of impressive performances. His twin Sheffield Shield centuries for New South Wales caught the selectors’ attention, alongside an unbeaten 73 against India A at the MCG ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He further bolstered his case with a century (107) in the Prime Minister’s XI pink-ball match against India in Canberra.

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The young opener’s first-class statistics are equally noteworthy. In 11 matches, he has scored 718 runs at an average of 42.23, including two centuries and three half-centuries.

“Sam earns his first call-up to the Test squad. His style of batting offers a point of difference, and we look forward to seeing his game develop further,” said Australian Chair of Selectors George Bailey.

If selected in the playing XI, Konstas will become Australia’s youngest Test debutant since captain Pat Cummins, who was 18 years and 193 days old when he made his debut against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2011.

(With inputs from PTI)