Winners and losers: Why this is not the end for Australia’s Ashes casualties

1 month ago 4

Australian opener Usman Khawaja believes Sam Konstas’ Test axing will prove his making, with the renegade youngster officially left out of the first Ashes squad of the series.

The writing was on the wall for the 20-year-old, who has stumbled since his Boxing Day heroics against India last year, with his place now taken by Tasmania southpaw Jake Weatherald.

From that fateful 60, highlighted by his ramping of Jasprit Bumrah, Konstas has scored just 103 runs from nine Test knocks, while he averaged just 20.33 in the Sheffield Shield this summer.

The scrutiny surrounding the young man led two-Test batsman Kurtis Patterson to launch an impassioned defence of his state teammate, who declared he was “going through something none of us have”.

But Khawaja knows from experience this is not the end of the New South Welshman.

The 38-year-old was left in the Test wilderness for three years before garnering an Ashes recall in 2022, striking twin centuries in Sydney to cement his place in the XI – one he has not forfeited since.

“Cricket’s just a tough game, it’s so tough – batting at the top of the order is extremely tough,” Khawaja said during Queensland’s Shield clash with NSW.

“He’s 20 years old, he’s playing first-class cricket and first-class cricket is tough. I’ve been playing for 18 years, and it’s still tough – it’s not an easy game and the new ball is as hard as it gets.

“At the age of 20, I was still figuring out my game, with a lot of respect, except I wasn’t playing first-class cricket, I was playing first-grade [club] cricket, so he’s got a long runway.

“To me, everyone – especially at that age – is trying to figure out what works and what doesn’t work, and I’m sure he’s going to be better for it in the future.”

Khawaja’s sentiment was echoed by Australian chief selector George Bailey upon unveiling the first Test squad.

Sam Konstas in action for New South Wales.

“There are a handful of guys his age playing Shield cricket around the country, and they’re all learning and going through a journey of being the best cricketer they can be,” Bailey said.

“Sammy’s no different, he just happens to be doing it under what seems to be immense scrutiny.

“It depends on how you want to define failure … I’d like to think for a lot of guys – whether they get a taste of Test cricket and then are out or they stay in the team – there are still a lot of learnings, a lot of knowledge and a lot of understanding of what’s required and what it looks like at that next level.

“There is a gap between domestic cricket and international cricket. Part of that is on the field and part of it is the scrutiny and intensity off the field.

“Anyone who comes through the Australian squad I’d like to think come out of it in a better position to understand their game and know what’s required. Then, when the opportunity presents, they’re in a really good position when their name is thrown up.”

Weatherald will be joined by fringe bowlers Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott as the uncapped members of the Ashes squad, leaving no room for perennial 12th man Michael Neser.

The 35-year-old has been unable to add to his two Test caps since December 2022, having taken seven wickets at an average of 16.71. He has also clinched 11 scalps from two Shield appearances for Queensland.

Bailey stressed the inclusions of Doggett and Abbott were not necessarily an indicator they would be next in should Mitch Starc, Josh Hazlewood or Scott Boland join skipper Pat Cummins in the casualty ward, but rather their “complementary skill sets” worked with what they sought for the Perth clash.

According to Neser’s Bulls teammate and Australian short-format star Xavier Bartlett, Neser was far from a spent force.

“Nes is one of the best players I’ve ever played with. Every year he seems to be getting better – I think he’s getting younger as well,” Bartlett told this masthead.

“He’s always improving, and is someone I’ve looked up to for the last 10 years. He’s always very meticulous in the way he goes about the game.

“You come and see him training every day, and just see the hunger he has to get better. I really hope when he gets an opportunity he takes it with both hands, which I know he will.”