![Sam Konstas [Source: AFP Photos]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1754542425723_sam_konstas_australia.jpg?type=mq)
Sam Konstas [Source: AFP Photos]
Young opener Sam Konstas faces a crucial test of his credentials after being named in Australia A's squad for their upcoming tour of India. The 19-year-old is the only current Test player selected for the four-day matches in Lucknow, as selectors look to groom emerging talent for future subcontinent challenges.
Sam Konstas, who struggled during Australia's recent Test series in the Caribbean, will get valuable experience on spinning tracks ahead of the next Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2027.
Cooper Connolly, Nathan McSweeney To Feature Alongside Konstas
The squad also includes Test-capped players Cooper Connolly, Todd Murphy and Nathan McSweeney, while a younger group has been picked for the subsequent one-day series.
"The subcontinent provides many unique challenges and the opportunity to utilise different skills with bat and ball. We hope repeated experiences in these conditions will assist players in developing an effective method for future tours," selection chief George Bailey said in an official statement.
The tour represents a critical juncture for Konstas, who burst onto the scene with a memorable Boxing Day Test debut against India last summer but has since found runs hard to come by. His inclusion comes as selectors balance his development with the need to have players available for the Sheffield Shield season starting October 4. However, this also means he is being tested to find a spot in The Ashes squad.
Inexperienced One-Day Squad For India Tour
The one-day squad features an even younger group, including five players under 21, headlined by U19 World Cup stars Callum Vidler and Harry Dixon. Notably, 26-year-old Aaron Hardie is the squad's oldest member.
Bailey emphasized the dual focus of the tour, "For many players we remain interested in their short-form development, but balancing priorities meant we wanted them back for the Shield season."
With Australia's next Test assignment being the Ashes in November, Konstas will be desperate to find form in India and cement his place at the top of the order.
Australia A four-day squad: Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Jack Edwards, Aaron Hardie, Campbell Kellaway, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Fergus O’Neill, Oliver Peake, Josh Philippe, Corey Rocchiccioli, Liam Scott
Australia A one-day squad: Cooper Connolly, Harry Dixon, Jack Edwards, Sam Elliott, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Mackenzie Harvey, Todd Murphy, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Lachie Shaw, Tom Straker, Will Sutherland, Callum Vidler
