Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024 – Sam Konstas’ lack of experience will not affect selection, says Andrew McDonald

“I think we’re picking the best team in the country right now, and if that includes a young player, we’ll be heading our way,” McDonald told the ABC. They don’t listen. “And obviously Sam Konstas, after his Shield debut, and the way he did his job in the second innings at the MCG against Scott Boland, it caused quite a stir.

“I’ve heard people comment that ‘are you defending the player?’ If they’re ready, they’re ready in our minds, and if Sam can and we feel like he can fill that spot, I don’t think an opponent should come into the equation.”

“Do I think this player is ready to play Test cricket?,” said McDonald. “You have to start against somebody, and you don’t have to hold back and protect a potential opponent, and India is a strong opponent but also the good thing about a player playing in Australia in the first Test summer is that the conditions are normal. What better place to start than in your own backyard.”

However, despite the decision to return Steven Smith to No. 4, McDonald continued to believe that the middle-order batsman could be converted into a Test opener if that felt like the best solution. McDonald previously had the power to select the best six batters available.

McDonald cited the examples of Watson and Simon Katich who moved from the middle roles to the top with success while also drawing on the last tour of India when Matthew Wade took over the role amid injury problems in the first selections.

“The way they hit and talk about him [Shami’s] his relentless nature, his line and length, the way he goes about his business, a really good complimentary skill set in Bumrah so think that the one-two combo will be a little bit lacking, and they will miss that.”

Andrew McDonald in the absence of Mohammed Shami

“I think he’s a valid opportunity to put his hand up for selection at some point, even if that’s in the middle … “I think he’s technically capable and has the mindset to be able to achieve good things at the top, but whether that’s the time and his place right now, that’s to be decided.”

“Mohammed Shami has lost a lot,” he said. “The way the batsmen talk about his endless form, his line and height, the way he goes about his business, the good compliments put on Bumrah so think the one-two combo will be a little bit lacking, too” I’ll miss that. But needless to say we have seen what happened last time, they had the reserves that came in and they did the work so they will not be taken lightly.”