Travis Head has backed Sam Konstas to regain his spot as the opener for Australia during the World Test Championship Final against South Africa. Konstas made a stunning debut for Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, as he scored a fifty at the MCG, as he was able to surprise everyone with his attacking intent and unorthodox shots during the final 2 Tests.
Konstas played some magnificent shots during the matches against India and handled the verbal jibes from his opponents well. However, the 19-year-old was dropped for the first Test against Australia in Galle as Australia decided to go with Head as an opener alongside Usman Khawaja. The move would work out as Head and Khawaja would pile on the misery on Day 1. The youngster isn’t expected to feature in the second Test as well, but Head is backing Konstas to be back in the mix.
Speaking to the reporters ahead of the second Test, Head joked that he is happy that he isn’t a selector as the Australian team will have to deal with a selection headache with Josh Inglis in good form and Cameron Green expected to be fit.
“Most likely I’d go back in the middle order and Sam would open,” Head told reporters in Galle. “But I’m glad I’m not a selector. Josh has had an amazing start, the guys are playing well, Greeny’s going to be fit. So it’s going to be hard to fit [them all] in. I think that’s what we want. We want an Australian cricket team that’s tough to get in.
“I think that’s all we’ve ever known is players that are unlucky and players that are in the team and expecting good performances. And that’s where the pressure comes [from], it’s trying to hold your spot every Test, knowing that there’s people behind you. We’re in a strong position. It’s better having seven or eight batters talked about than three or four.”
