Brad Haddin Reacts To Sam Konstas Being Dropped Against Sri Lanka Test Squad
The 19-year-old Australian opener Sam Konstas made his debut against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 but did not make it to the team's playing XI in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle. He scored a half-century in his maiden Test against India in Melbourne in the fourth Test. In the first Test against Sri Lanka, Travis Head made his way as an opener, scoring 57 runs off 40 balls. The Aussies won the first Test by an innings and 242 runs.
Former Australian cricketer Brad Haddin wants selectors to send Konstas back home. He stated that if they are not using Konstas in the second test, then it's better to send him back and let him play some state cricket. Konstas has not played a lot of first-class cricket, and the more he plays, the better it will be for the future.
"Send him home....." - Brad Haddin
Haddin said,
"We've got to remember he (Konstas) is 19, so if they're not using him for the second Test, I would send him home to play state cricket. He hasn't played a lot (of first-class cricket), and the more he plays, the better. He would've had a good couple of weeks over there (in Sri Lanka) learning. If he's not going to be needed, send him back home to bat."
If we look at Konstas first-class cricket records, then he has played only 13 matches, scoring 831 runs at an average of 39.57, smashing two centuries and four half-centuries.
However, Konstas proved to be a headache for the Indian bowlers in his debut Test only, which shows what kind of quality player he is. The test saw him hitting boundaries in Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah's spell, who is one of the most celebrated bowlers all over the world, hitting 18 runs in his over. In the next three innings, he didn't prove to be that effective and had scores of 8, 23, and 23. In the Test against Sri Lanka, selectors went forward with showing faith in Usman Khawaja and Head as openers, which proved to be best, and Jos Inglis in the middle order; that's the reason Konstas missed a spot in the team at Galle.
Further, Haddin said that,
"I think he's been left out of the side because Australia had a plan a long time ago of how they wanted to play in Sri Lanka. We've seen how well Travis Head and Usman Khawaja played at the top of the order. I think he (Konstas) will come straight back in for the Test Championship (final)."