"I can see Konstas coming straight in for him" - Damien Fleming on Marnus Labuschagne's place being under threat in BGT 2024-25
Former Australia pacer Damien Fleming believes Sam Konstas could break into the Test side for the latter half of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar series if Marnus Labuschagne's poor form persists. The youngster reminded the selectors of his prowess with a stunning hundred for the Prime Minister's XI against India during the recent pink ball warm-up clash in Canberra.
Australia's top-order has been under the scanner amid a series of poor outings, including a disastrous display in the first match in Perth. The Men in Yellow lost the contest by 295 runs after yet another shuffle in the batting order that saw Steve Smith return to No. 4 and Nathan McSweeney making his debut.
A lot of Australia's concerns also have to do with Marnus Labuschagne's dismal run of form. The right-handed batter averages 24.50 in 2024, with three fifties in 12 innings. He looked lost in the first Test against India, recording two runs off 52 deliveries in the first innings, and three runs in the second outing.
Fleming has opined that Konstas will not be far away from featuring in the playing XI if Labuschagne's form does not improve.
“What I love about what Sam did yesterday was he enhanced his reputation and that's all you can do. That was brilliant from him. He's going to play, it's just a matter of when whether it's this summer or not. My feeling was an Aussie fan and commentator is that he doesn't play this summer because everyone else scores a lot of runs. But a failure for someone like Marnus means I can see Konstas coming straight in for him,” Fleming told SEN Afternoons (via India Today).
Sam Konstas, 19, was part of Australia's squad that won the 2024 U-19 World Cup in South Africa. He kickstarted the 2024-25 Sheffield Trophy campaign in style as well, scoring twin hundreds against South Australia.
"Hopefully, one day I can face him and see how we go" - Sam Konstas on Jasprit Bumrah
The rookie sensation got the taste of the majority of the Indian bowling attack while playing for the Prime Minister's XI recently. However, the opposition bowling unit did not include Jasprit Bumrah.
Konstas looked at ease against the likes of Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, and Harshit Rana, scoring in excess of a strike rate of 100. He also managed to sneak in a couple of unorthodox and audacious reverse ramp shots in his innings.
“I was watching quite a bit. Bumrah is a skilful player, obviously, and probably the best in the world. Hopefully, one day I can face him and see how we go. I feel confident [in my game]. I’ve been training really hard and it’s a great opportunity to play against the best players," Konstas said after the pink ball warm-up match (via the Sydney Morning Herald).
The second Test between India and Australia is scheduled to begin on Friday, December 6, at the Adelaide Oval.