Andrew McDonald, the head coach, has indicated that Sam Konstas may still have a future in the Australian Test team despite his challenging performance during the recent West Indies series, where he scored only 50 runs in six innings. This dismal showing has led to speculation about whether the young opener is ‘damaged’ by his struggles. However, McDonald has dismissed such claims, emphasising that exposure to Test cricket is invaluable and contributes to a player’s growth.
During a conversation on SEN’s The New Ball, McDonald addressed concerns about Konstas’s position in the team, stating, “Off the top, nobody is damaged being exposed to Test cricket.” He believes the experience gained will help Konstas reflect and improve, stating that the player is aware of the areas that need development without disclosing specifics due to competitive reasons.
McDonald praised Konstas’s talent, affirming that he sees a bright future for him within the team, although it ultimately depends on his performance in domestic Shield cricket. The coach acknowledged the pressure on players to score runs, particularly in preparation for the upcoming Ashes series against England. McDonald believes that Konstas, along with others, must step up to solidify his spot in the team.
In addition to Konstas, there are questions surrounding Usman Khawaja’s role as he approaches the twilight of his career, set to turn 39 during the Ashes. Despite a less than stellar performance against the West Indies, McDonald has expressed that Khawaja will remain part of the plans for the summer. He emphasised Khawaja’s consistency and experience, noting that his scoring, while critiqued, can be understood in the challenging context of the series.
As Australia prepares for the Ashes series set to commence on November 21 in Perth, McDonald maintains that both Konstas and Khawaja could contribute significantly, indicating a focus on building a competitive squad. Despite the need for improvement, he believes the players have valuable lessons to learn from their recent experiences.