Sam Konstas’s Fall from Grace and the New Faces in Australia’s Ashes Squad
Sam Konstas had the cricketing world at his feet last December when he made one of the most incredible Test debuts in recent memory. However, the 20-year-old has now been omitted from Australia’s squad for the first Ashes Test, marking a dramatic fall from grace.
Jake Weatherald is emerging as a strong contender to take Konstas’s opening spot after edging out Matt Renshaw for a place in the 15-man squad for the opening contest against England. The selectors have kept their options open, naming a group that includes Steve Smith as the stand-in captain for the Test starting in Perth on November 21.
Marnus Labuschagne has returned to the squad after being dropped during this year’s Tests in the West Indies, but Konstas’s poor form has cost him his position. The New South Welshman was once the hottest property in Australian cricket, scoring 60 on his debut against India in the Boxing Day Test, where he smashed four boundaries and two sixes off just 52 balls.
Konstas stunned fans and the Indian team with his audacious ramp shots against fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, but his performance has since declined. He scored 23 and 22 in the final Test against India in Sydney, then failed to get a match on the Aussies’ Test tour of Sri Lanka in January. A disastrous Test series against the West Indies followed in June, where he managed only 50 runs at an average of 8.33. His overall average in the Sheffield Shield this year stands at 20.33.
Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott have also been included in the squad for the Ashes, with both expected to act as reserves behind quicks Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland. Beau Webster and Cameron Green have also been named, allowing the selectors to consider their options over the next fortnight.
Josh Inglis has been picked in the group, but is expected to serve as a back-up batter and wicketkeeper given his versatility. With the in-form Labuschagne all but certain to play in Perth, Weatherald, Green, and Webster are realistically fighting for two spots.
If the selectors want a specialist opener rather than asking Labuschagne to take on the role, Weatherald will earn a Test debut at age 31. However, if there are concerns about Green’s ability to bowl big overs in Perth, it is likely that the selectors will opt for the security of having both Green and Webster in the side.
Weatherald has made a compelling case for his inclusion by being the leading run-scorer in the Shield last summer with 906 runs at an average of 50.33. The 31-year-old backed this up with a big century for Australia A against Sri Lanka A in Darwin during the winter, before a steady start to the summer.
His first call-up to a Test squad comes after he had to leave South Australia for Tasmania a little over two years ago in a bid to continue his first-class career. Renshaw can count himself somewhat unlucky, after scoring a century to start the summer for Queensland, while also looking in good touch for Australia in ODIs.
Meanwhile, both Abbott and Doggett’s call-ups are notable given the possibility that Australia may need to rotate their quicks on tight turnarounds later in the series. Australia are hopeful that Pat Cummins will return midway through the Ashes, but at ages 31 and 33, Doggett and Abbott appear closer to a Test debut than ever before.
Australia Squad for First Ashes Test:
- Steve Smith (capt)
- Sean Abbott
- Scott Boland
- Alex Carey
- Brendan Doggett
- Cameron Green
- Josh Hazlewood
- Travis Head
- Josh Inglis
- Usman Khawaja
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Nathan Lyon
- Mitchell Starc
- Jake Weatherald
- Beau Webster
The changes in the squad highlight the pressure on young talent and the need for experienced players to step up. With Steve Smith’s return and the challenges faced by players like Khawaja and Konstas, the lineup for the second Test in Grenada could see further adjustments. Fans and selectors alike are watching closely to see how these changes will impact Australia’s performance in the Ashes.
