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Threat For Steve Smith And..; 3 Players Sam Konstas Can Replace In Australia Test Team

Abhinav Tyagi

Sam Konstas Century - (Source:@CricAsustralia/X.com)Sam Konstas Century - (Source:@CricAsustralia/X.com)

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On Sunday, December 1, the action between India and Australia's PM XI finally kicked off in Canberra after rain spoiled play on day 1. The visitors restricted PM XI to just 240 runs, but opener Sam Konstas impressed the most as he smashed a century. 

Konstas scored 107 (97), which featured 14 fours and a solitary six. He impressed the critics as he smashed a ton against a pink ball as the ongoing match is a practice ground for the upcoming pink ball Test between India and Australia in Adelaide on December 6. 

Meanwhile, Konstas, who is not a part of Australia's squad for BGT, has knocked on selectors doors with a blistering knock. Meanwhile, this article will analyse three players Konstas can replace in BGT.

1. Nathan McSweeney

McSweeney had a disastrous start to his international career as he amassed just 10 runs in his debut Test in Perth. Notably, he scored 10 runs in the first innings and followed it with a duck in the second innings. 

Further, McSweeney has never opened the innings in Sheffield Shield history, and the decision to make him open for Australia seems to be wrong. Whereas, Konstas opened the innings and also played a fifty-plus knock for Australia A against India A. 

2. Marnus Labuschagne

Marnus is going through a major slump with the bat and was exposed in the first Test when he took most of the balls on his body. The critics bashed him for his technique, and the right-hand batter needs to be rested to give Konstas a place in the team. 

Even in the Perth Test, Labuschagne scored just 2 off 52 balls and didn't look comfortable at the crease despite it being home conditions. It is worth noting that Labuschagne has scored just 245 runs in 12 innings in Tests in 2024, averaging just 24.50.

3. Steve Smith

Other than Labuschagne, Smith too hasn't done well in Tests in the past year if we look at his stats. Further, his batting order has to been juggled and in case, Australia decides to continue with Mcsweeney at the top, Kosntas can replace Steve Smith in the middle order.

Talking about, he is having a poor year than Labuschagne and amassed just 230 runs in 12 innings, averaging 25.55. He is on course of registering his worst calendar year in Tests since 2010.