Young Australian batsman Sam Konstas is set to make his debut in Sri Lanka, but faces stiff competition from Travis Head.
Teen sensation Sam Konstas has a batting style that could be well-suited to Sri Lanka 's spin-friendly wickets, according to Australia 's chief selector George Bailey. However, Konstas' spot in the team might be threatened by the return of subcontinent opening specialist Travis Head . The 19-year-old will be part of a touring squad led by Steve Smith, which includes several players from Australia 's next generation.
This comes as Pat Cummins is still recovering from an ankle injury sustained during the Border-Gavaskar series. Scans later this week could determine his availability for the February Champions Trophy one-day tournament in Pakistan. Other notable inclusions in the 16-man squad are 21-year-old all-rounder Cooper Connolly, recalled batter Nathan McSweeney, and spinners Matthew Kuhnemann and Todd Murphy. While players like Connolly and McSweeney took precedence over Glenn Maxwell and Peter Handscomb, Bailey emphasized that Konstas' aggressive and unconventional approach against India, particularly his ability to force the pace of the game, has made him a strong contender to open the batting alongside veteran Usman Khawaja in Sri Lanka. Konstas' performance against India showcased his potential as a dynamic opener, although the spin-friendly pitches in Galle are significantly different from Australian conditions. Bailey believes Konstas' quick learning ability and adaptable technique could prove valuable in these unfamiliar conditions.
Cricket Australia Sri Lanka Sam Konstas Travis Head
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