Brad Haddin has urged Australian selectors to send Sam Konstas back home if he isn’t playing in the second Test against Sri Lanka, suggesting he should instead gain match experience in state cricket. Despite his exclusion, Konstas remains a candidate for the upcoming World Test Championship final against South Africa. Haddin’s advocacy contrasts with Steve Smith’s view on the benefits of Konstas practicing in Sri Lanka.
Former Australian Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has called on selectors to send 19-year-old Sam Konstas home if he is not going to participate in the upcoming Warne-Muralitharan Trophy match. Haddin believes Konstas would benefit more from playing in a Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales against Queensland rather than practicing in Sri Lanka. He highlighted the importance of game time for the young player to enhance his skills.
Konstas was not selected for the first Test after Travis Head was promoted to the opening position, where he scored 57 runs, while Josh Inglis made an impressive 102 on his debut. Australia won the first Test decisively and now looks to secure the series with a second victory. While Konstas’s exclusion is disappointing, he remains a contender for the World Test Championship final against South Africa in June.
Haddin emphasizes that Konstas’s limited experience in first-class cricket means he should be prioritized for state-level competition if he’s not needed for the Tests. Contrarily, fellow player Steve Smith suggests that the Sri Lankan tour offers valuable learning opportunities for Konstas, advocating for the developmental benefits of extended practice in the nets, regardless of match participation.
The issue at hand involves young cricketer Sam Konstas, who has faced a challenging start to his international career. His exclusion from the Australian team for the Sri Lankan tour raises questions about player development and utilization. Brad Haddin and Steve Smith, both distinguished figures in Australian cricket, have differing views on how Konstas should approach this early stage of his career, highlighting the ongoing debate between experiential learning and gameplay opportunities.
Brad Haddin’s commentary on Sam Konstas illustrates the dilemma facing young players in international cricket regarding experience and development. While Haddin advocates for sending him back to compete in state cricket, Smith believes in the value of the learning experience in Sri Lanka. As Australia eyes the World Test Championship final, Konstas’s future selection remains uncertain yet promising.
Original Source: www.nine.com.au
