Take a look at hopefuls Sam Konstas and Cameron Bancroft have been dismissed for geese batting for Australia A in a serious blow for his or her worldwide ambitions.
Marcus Harris, a fellow contender for the vacant opening spot, additionally didn’t capitalise after he made a begin on day one in opposition to India A in Mackay earlier than falling for 17.
The adopted Victorian, who final performed a Take a look at in January 2022, was given a life simply after tea when he was dropped at third slip.
However the left-hander fell shortly after by half-playing a shot and was eliminated by India A seamer Prasidh Krishna.
Australia A captain Nathan McSweeney, who bats at quantity three for South Australia and is one other contender to fill the Take a look at opening void, has an opportunity to press his case after coming in to bat at 4.
After India A had been rolled for 107 batting first in Mackay, NSW teenager Konstas lasted simply three balls in his first audition for Take a look at honours.
Konstas had a shocking begin to the Sheffield Protect season as his identify rose with a bullet as a potential companion for Usman Khawaja on the high of the order.
However Konstas, who was most well-liked as Harris’s opening companion for Australia A over Bancroft and McSweeney, fell to Mukesh Kumar with out scoring within the first over.
Bancroft’s poor begin to the summer time continued when he was out for a duck to Krishna after going through 14 balls.
The Western Australian, who has been within the Take a look at wilderness because the 2019 Ashes, has dominated the Sheffield Protect for the final two seasons however is struggling a kind hunch on the worst potential time.
Newly re-signed Australia coach Andrew McDonald rejected ideas the Australia A “bat-off” will fully resolve who companions Khawaja within the first Take a look at in opposition to India in Perth subsequent month.
“There’s a whole lot of context and consideration round physique of labor for these senior gamers in Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft,” McDonald mentioned on Thursday.
“Clearly Sam Konstas hasn’t been capable of have that physique of labor behind him due to the restricted Protect cricket that he is performed, and Nathan McSweeney is someplace in the course of that.
“You are taking Sam for instance, he is had restricted expertise in Perth, after which clearly as much as the Gabba, so there’s unimaginable challenges for gamers who have not performed in these situations earlier than, nevertheless it’s to not say that he cannot do this both — he is a quick learner.
“Marcus Harris — after all it isn’t way back (in December 2021) that he performed a blinding innings out right here (on the MCG) in opposition to England.”
South Australian fast Brendan Doggett was the sudden star of day one, destroying India A with 6-15 from 11 overs.
AAP
