Australia is willing to play the long game with rapidly emerging yet unfinished product Sam Konstas.
Konstas and Usman Khawaja are the only recognised opening batters in the Aussies’ 16-man squad set for South Africa in next month’s World Test Championship final.
But the opening spot is still up for grabs, with Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Inglis options to face Proteas quick Kagiso Rabada.
Chairman of selectors George Bailey said if the Aussies veered away from Konstas at the top of the order again, the young star would still find a way to advance his game.
“I think it’s pretty clear that he’s not a finished product, he’s on a journey, he’s a highly talented player,” he said.
“The things we like: He’s a quick learner, he’s really keen to learn, he’s shown an amazing ability to adapt and change the way he plays.
“Any opportunity that he does get around this team, whether that’s in the XI or around the squad, I think he’s going to continue to improve.”
Bailey reinforced his stance on the opening spot not being a specialist role, declaring “more people could do it than we probably give credit to”.
“I think (Labuschagne) could do it, I think we’ve got a number of guys who could open the batting, that’s not to say that they will,” he said.
“I do think it’s a role that more people could do it than we probably give credit to. I know there’s a prevailing thought that it’s a specialised role.
“I think in certain conditions, there’s opportunities where other guys could do it, whether that’s England for Josh (Inglis) or a middle order role where he’s had success already.
“I am not trying to be cryptic about it and we’re sitting on the XI, (where) we know it and we’re just not announcing it, I just think there’s quite a bit to work through.
“The Test is another month away, there’s guys still playing cricket in India, guys in England playing and some guys starting their preparation here as well.”
The Aussies have Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott as reserve bowlers but will likely lean on Scott Boland first if one of the mainstay quicks fall short.
“That’ll become clearer once we get to the UK and probably get eyes on particularly those fast bowlers who have been playing in India,” Bailey said.
“They’re all working pretty hard behind the scenes to ramp up their loads a little bit but it’ll be a slightly different preparation.”
Content Source: www.perthnow.com.au