Mark Taylor has called for selectors to bring back Sam Konstas for the upcoming Test series against the West Indies, especially with Steve Smith under scrutiny due to injury. Australia recently suffered an unexpected defeat in the World Test Championship final to South Africa, igniting discussions about team changes.
The recently formed opening pair of Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja struggled during the match at Lord’s, and with Smith expected to miss the series after dislocating a finger, there may be an opportunity for Konstas to step in. Taylor believes the time for a shake-up in the batting order is overdue. He pointed out that since David Warner’s retirement nearly two years ago, Australia has yet to effectively replace him.
Taylor remarked, “Although, they really haven’t tried that hard either, to be totally honest with you.” Noting the struggles of Khawaja and Labuschagne against fast bowling, he stressed the need for greater adaptability in the Australian lineup.
Konstas, who previously made a positive impact with a debut score of 60, was left out in favour of Travis Head for the tour of Sri Lanka. Taylor argues that given Smith’s injury, it makes sense to reintroduce Konstas, who can contribute in a more conventional batting style.
Khawaja, in particular, has faced challenges at the crease, with his average hovering around 34 over the last couple of years, and significantly lower when excluding a high-scoring innings in Sri Lanka. Taylor asserted the need to reassess the opening combination, considering the current performance levels.
He suggested that Konstas should be given the opportunity to open alongside Khawaja, who also finds himself under pressure to maintain his position. Competing players like Nathan McSweeney could be vying for a shot, highlighting the need for the selectors to balance present needs with future considerations.
The series against the West Indies is set to commence on June 26, paving the way for potential changes in the squad as the selectors prepare for the challenge ahead.