Sam Konstas.
Credit: icc-cricket.com
Melbourne: Australia have brought in teen opener Sam Konstas while dropping Nathan McSweeney from a 15-member squad for the final two matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India.
Besides Konstas, pacer Jhye Richardson was also included along with fellow quick Sean Abbott. Australia were dealt a severe blow when their premier fast bowler Josh Hazlewood walked off the field with a calf strain during the course of the Brisbane Test.
Konstas would become Australia's youngest Test debutant since current skipper Pat Cummins, who was 18 years 193 days, should he receive a Baggy Green cap on Boxing Day. The Australia's under-19 World Cup winning batter, Konstas turned 19 this October 2.
Konstas gave a good demonstration of his talent when he carved an aggressive 73 against Indians while representing Prime Minister's XI in a pink-ball warm-up match in Canberra.
The squad: Australia: Pat Cummins (captain), Travis Head (vice-captain), Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wicket-keeper), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Sean Abbott, Jhye Richardson and Beau Webster.