Australia's chief selector George Bailey has shown understanding for young batter Sam Konstas after he was left out of the squad for the first Ashes Test in Perth later this month. Konstas has struggled recently, managing only 50 runs in six innings during the West Indies tour and recording just one half-century in six Sheffield Shield innings. Former captain Steve Waugh compared Konstas's situation to his own early international career, noting the batter appears to lack confidence. Despite the setback, Bailey emphasized that selectors value Konstas's skillset and believe he will improve over time. The 20-year-old had impressed on debut against India at the MCG last summer, confidently taking on Jasprit Bumrah. He remains eligible for upcoming Prime Minister's XI and Australia A matches during the Ashes series and has up to three Sheffield Shield games before the Big Bash League starts in mid-December.
Intense Scrutiny and Future Opportunities for Young Batter
Bailey acknowledged the extraordinary pressure on Konstas, stating that "if he farts, it's a headline" due to intense media attention. The selector praised Konstas's positive attitude and highlighted his involvement in recent tours, including the Boxing Day Test, subcontinent assignments, and Australia A fixtures. Bailey advised him to keep things simple and focus on scoring runs for New South Wales. Despite recent poor form, Konstas could still feature in the Prime Minister's XI and Australia A games scheduled during the early Ashes stages. Waugh recommended the youngster block out external noise, trust one or two advisors, return to basics in Shield cricket, and build long innings to regain confidence before returning to Test level.
Source: Link