Questions about the capacity of rising star Sam Konstas to handle the intensity of an Ashes showdown have grown after another limp batting effort in Brisbane that leaves his Test hopes hanging by a thread.
In Melbourne, Test all-rounder Beau Webster also managed just 11 runs in his first Shield outing for the season for Tasmania, a day after conceding he too could be “squeezed out” of the Australian team with Cameron Green set to resume bowling.
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After rain forced Konstas to wait a full day to get his chance to push his case to remain Usman Khawaja’s Test opening partner, the 20-year-old was out for just 10 after NSW was sent into bat on a Gabba green top.
Konstas, who had made just 71 runs in four crucial Sheffield Shield innings as he looked to push his case for an Ashes call-up, lasted just 24 balls in his fifth innings, bowled by Hayden Kerr while leaving a ball that crashed into the stumps.
Konstas now has 81 runs in five innings at an average of 16.2 through the opening rounds of the Shield season.
It came a day after one of his rivals in the bat-off for an Ashes opening spot, Tasmania’s Jake Weatherald, was out for a duck in the final round of Shield games before selectors pick their Ashes squad.
Australian legend Allan Border last week questioned whether Konstas had what was required to survive at Test level just yet.
“He’s good enough from what I’m hearing, but I just haven’t seen it yet,” Border said.
Australian coach Andrew McDonald said on Monday no decision had yet been made on who would open the batting in the first Test against England that begins in Perth on November 21.
Queenslander Matt Renshaw, who returned to international cricket as part of the Australian ODI team against India, has re-entered the frame and will get his chance to bat at the Gabba over the next couple of days.
Renshaw has the full support of Khawaja for a Test return.
“I know if Renshaw is picked that he is in the best space right now to have a crack at Australia again and be ready to score runs,” Khawaja said this week.
“Obviously, I am a little bit biased because he is my opening partner and a friend of mine, but he’s been there and done it. He has scored 184 for Australia (against Pakistan in 2017). He has been in and out of the Australian team and it allows you to grow, as I know from experience.
“He hasn’t done himself any harm with the way he has played in the last three matches in the one-dayers. He has taken the pressure on really well and looked the part, which he always does whenever he goes to the next level. You feel like he is one guy that really belongs at the next level.”
In his first outing ahead of taking the Australian captaincy in the absence of injured Pat Cummins, Steve Smith took 22 balls to get off the mark before stroking a boundary off his pads.
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