Nathan McSweeney left out of Boxing Day Test squad, Sam Konstas debut, squad announcement, Border Gavaskar Trophy, latest news

Australia’s selectors have revealed their squad for the upcoming Boxing Day Test against India, dropping opening batsmen Nathan McSweeney and calling up teenage prodigy Sam Konstas.

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The South Australian made his Test debut only a month ago, batting out of position at the top of the order, having never opened the batting at state level.

He has failed to make more than 10 in five of his six Test innings to date, and the selectors have not swung the ax with a potential debut imminent for Konstas.

NSW seamer Sean Abbot also earned a call-up, while Beau Webster and Josh Inglis remain in the squad alongside Jhye Richardson who is another surprise inclusion.

Konstas’ call-up marks his first at the national level after an impressive run of form in all formats leading up to the Border Gavaskar series, being the only other specialist opener apart from Usman Khawaja in the current squad.

If 18-year-old Konstas makes his Test debut, he would become the youngest to receive a baggy green since current skipper Pat Cummins.

He was 18 years and 193 days old when he played against South Africa in 2011, while Konstas turned 19 on October 2 this year.

The New South Welshman scored back-to-back centuries in a Sheffield Shield clash against South Australia earlier this year, with 152 and 105 in that match.

Then he went on to hit 73 not out for Australia A against India A, as well as a ton for the Prime Minister’s XI and a blistering half-century on BBL debut for the Thunder.

Speaking after his BBL appearance, the rising star was pressed on his potential Test debut.

“It would be a dream come true,” he said

“Maybe I’ll be a little nervous before the match, but I’ve worked really hard for this. I hope it happens one day, but we’ll see.

Meanwhile, chairman of selectors George Bailey has remained confident that McSweeney will return to the Test arena at some point, pointing to Konstas’ “batting style” as the reason for his inclusion.

“The team is providing options on how we structure the XI for the final two Tests of the series,” Bailey said in a statement.

“Sam gets a call from the Test team for the first time. His batting style offers a point of difference and we can’t wait to see his game develop further.

“We remain confident that Nathan has the ability and temperament to succeed at Test level in the future. It was a difficult decision to leave him aside.

“It has clearly been a top-notch challenge for the batters throughout the series and we want to provide the option of a different line-up for the next two matches.

“In the absence of Josh Hazlewood, Jhye provides additional options in the fast bowling space. It was nice to see his successful return at the start of the domestic summer.

According to Ben Jones, head of analysis at statistics provider CricViz, McSweeney’s tenure has been “the most difficult of all” since the data was recorded.

FULL TEAM

Pat Cummins (NSW/Penrith Cricket Club) (c)

Sean Abbott (NSW/Parramatta District Cricket Club)

Scott Boland (VIC/Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club)

Alex Carey (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)

Travis Head (SA/Tea Tree Gully Cricket Club) (vc)

Josh Inglis (WA/Joondalup Cricket Club)

Usman Khawaja (QLD/Valley District Cricket Club)

Sam Konstas (NSW/Sutherland District Cricket Club)

Marnus Labuschagne (Queensland/Redlands Cricket Club)

Nathan Lyon (NSW/Northern District Cricket Club)

Mitchell Marsh (WA/Fremantle Cricket Club)

Jhye Richardson (WA/Fremantle Cricket Club)

Steve Smith (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club) (vc)

Mitchell Starc (New South Wales/Manly Warringah Cricket Club)

Beau Webster (TAS/Kingborough Cricket Club)