Former Australian opener Simon Katich says selecting Sam Konstas as an opener in the upcoming test series against India could be an ‘inspired move’ as the Australian opening dilemma continues to go unresolved.
With a flying start to his Shield season, the New South Wales opener could be a genuine option to open against India, despite suggestions he could be too young.
The wunderkind burst onto the scene against Victoria notching up two centuries in under ten first class appearances.
Earning the Baggy Green within the first 10 first class matches of a player’s career is practically unheard of and would mark a significant, unprecedented decision from the Australian selectors.
Katich has rejected claims about age being a limitation, stating that there’s no reason for the 19 year-old to not get a look in.
“If he’s making runs and can do it in these next few weeks under pressure, particularly in the A-Games against India A, then I can’t see a reason why he shouldn’t be looked at,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter what age he is. If he’s young and hungry and and got a good head on his shoulders, like everyone’s talking about, then why not?
“If he goes in there and does well, everyone will be saying it’s an inspired move. I think you’ve got to think positively about these things and I think if he can handle the pressure of these next few weeks, then he’ll be in with a big show.”
With all-rounder Cameron Green’s season ended by back injury and vacancy needing filling at the top of the order, the door has been opened for a new addition to Australia’s batting line up in the upcoming Australia-India series.
With Konstas being a genuine chance, the opener discussion turns to the Australia A vs India A match, in which a four-way shootout for the much-debated opening spot will take centre stage.
Konstas, Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft and Nathan McSweeney each have the chance to mount a case for the selectors to choose them, not only in the A Series against India, but in the remaining Sheffield Shield matches in the lead up to the first test.
On historical form, Bancroft appeared the strongest candidate, but his form has wavered at the start of the season.
Katich believes the current dilemma selectors find themselves in is product of current shield openers not doing enough to persuade selectors as David Warner’s retirement loomed.
“Bancroft, Harris and Renshaw kept getting overlooked. That sent a pretty long a strong message that they hadn’t done enough to convince the Australian hierarchy that they should force their way in,” he said.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about current form. It’s hard to pick someone if they haven’t been making runs currently because going into a test series against India you want to have some sort of confidence in your game.
“These next few weeks for him, Harris and Renshaw are crucial because all three of them haven’t really banged the door down in this last month or two. They knew there was a vacancy once Cameron Green got injured and Steve Smith was talking about batting back at four.
“That’s that’s a big challenge for them to really sort of go out there in these next few weeks and bury the discussion by going out there and dominating. All three of them haven’t really done that in the last couple of years and I reckon that’s why the Australian selectors haven’t brought them in.”
“You could probably mount an argument for Bancroft but I’m talking about now in this current couple of months where he hasn’t started well for WA and he’s got a couple of weeks now to try and rectify that.”
WA wicketkeeper Josh Inglis has been thrown around in discussions and been suggested as a left-field opening option given his recent form in Sheffield Shield.
Inglis has made four centuries in the last seven innings at Shield level, with all of them being made while batting in the middle order.
However, National Selector George Bailey has shut down those suggestions and stated they will only consider him in his current role.
Katich says it is ‘hard to say’ whether Inglis would be the best fit as an Australian opener, but his style of play should slot right into the middle order against India.
“Josh has got a very good all-round game,” he said.
“He’s a very good player of spin. I think India no doubt in a couple of the tests where the conditions should suit, they will hit us with a couple of different spin options.
“It’s going to be interesting to see how they think of Josh Inglis because it doesn’t necessarily mean that he can’t play because like they did with Cameron Green, they might shuffle the order.
“It’s just whether they want to unsettle that middle order. That has been really dynamic for Australia, particularly here in Australia in the last few years where they can turn the game.
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