AUS vs IND, 4th Test: Konstas debut confirmed in Boxing Day clash, Head remains a doubt

AUS vs IND, 4th Test: Konstas debut confirmed in Boxing Day clash, Head remains a doubt

Australia’s Sam Konstas will start the fourth Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), becoming the 468th Australian men’s Test player on Boxing Day, but star batter Travis Head faces the risk of absence due to injury, Cricket Australia said on Tuesday.

Coach Andrew McDonald confirmed on Christmas Eve that Konstas would make his Test debut, with the 19-year-old set to become the youngest debutant since 18-year-old Pat Cummins at Johannesburg in 2011.

“He’s composed, relaxed, knows his game is in a good place at the moment, he’ll play Boxing Day,” McDonald told reporters at the MCG.

“We said from the get-go that age was no barrier. And what he’s shown is an array of shots and the ability to put pressure back onto opponents, and he gets his opportunity.

“We’re really excited for him, Boxing Day, the biggest stage. He might as well get that one out of the way early,” added McDonald.

Head, who picked up a quad strain in the third Test, is not a certain starter, McDonald declared on Tuesday but remains confident that the batter will make the cut.

“Has he got some things to work through? Yeah, he has,” McDonald said.

“There’s no concern at the moment. Has he been officially ticked off? I’m not sure. I didn’t see the back end of his training session there, but I’m pretty confident he’ll play.

“I think he’ll be fully functional come the game time.”

In other news, Scott Boland has all but been confirmed to replace Josh Hazlewood.

“I don’t think I’m coming to the ground on Boxing Day if Scotty’s not in the 11,” joked the Australian coach.