Konstas appears to be like to reignite Check profession on acquainted floor, as younger weapons get PM XI call-up
Sam Konstas will return to the scene of the place he made his case for Check choice final summer season, with the axed opener given an opportunity to face England with the Prime Minister’s XI.
Dropped by Australia’s selectors after a poor begin to the summer season, Konstas was on Monday confirmed as a big-name inclusion for the two-day sport at Manuka Oval later this month.
Peter Handscomb will captain the PM’s workforce, whereas veteran fast Peter Siddle will even characteristic within the pink-ball match.
Extra notable is the wealth of younger expertise picked within the aspect that will probably be coached by Tim Paine, as Australia strikes in the direction of a transition of its Check workforce.
Campbell Kellaway will probably open with Konstas, after his Victoria coach Chris Rogers stated final week he ought to be the person to finally exchange Usman Khawaja.
Nathan McSweeney can be chosen after his three Checks on the high of the order final summer season, as are Victoria’s teenage prodigy Oliver Peake and rising Queenslander Hugh Weibgen.
However it’s Konstas’ title that can appeal to probably the most curiosity.
It was on this fixture final 12 months that he hit 107 from 96 balls in opposition to India, pushing his case for Check choice with a number of extravagant photographs.
A debut got here 4 weeks afterward Boxing Day, the place he famously unsettled the often unflappable Jasprit Bumrah with a collection of scoop photographs on the way in which to 60.
However the opener has not hit one other half-century in his 9 innings since, scoring 103 runs at 11.44 for Australia.
Selectors had hoped he would return to kind this summer season with NSW, however he has handed 50 simply as soon as, averaging 20.12 for the Blues within the Sheffield Protect.
The opener has proven a extra conservative method in latest weeks, spending time within the center with out making a giant rating.
“We’ve chosen a squad that strikes a steadiness between youth, expertise, and alternative,” chief selector George Bailey stated.
“Peter Handscomb, who will captain the workforce, and Peter Siddle will present worthwhile expertise across the workforce for the event.
“It’s an opportunity to construct depth, reward efficiency, and supply worthwhile publicity and expertise in opposition to worldwide competitors.”
Now performed as a two-day fixture, the match will act as England’s warm-up sport for the day-night Check on the Gabba.
PM’S XI SQUAD TO FACE ENGLAND:
Peter Handscomb (capt), Benji Floros, Campbell Kellaway, Campbell Thompson, Charlie Anderson, Doug Warren, Hugh Weibgen, Joel Curtis, Nathan McSweeney, Oliver Peake, Peter Siddle, Sam Konstas, Sam Skelly.
