Bigger challenges than a debut with nothing to lose await Sam Konstas in Sri Lanka | Geoff Lemon
The teenage prodigy who scooped his way into national consciousness on Boxing Day has a lot to prove on Australia’s upcoming tour and beyond
If you’re Sam Konstas, you’re used to things moving quickly. It took 718 first-class runs to get into the Australian team. It took 113 Test runs to potentially change the way it is set up. For almost two years since Travis Head won a shootout in India, the plan has been clear: on the next ragging Asian pitch, the usual No 5 would skip up the order, opening the batting to target rare overs of seam or to smack spinners using a harder ball. Usman Khawaja would partner him with graft, the veteran regular opener bridging the gap after David Warner’s retirement.
A few weeks before Australia’s imminent series in Sri Lanka, though, that plan was turned upside down. Konstas is also an opener. Konstas is also in the squad. On the momentum of the moment, Konstas is going to play. So either Khawaja moves down the order for the first time in years, Konstas plays out of position in his third Test, or Australia abandon the Head plan that has sat there for so long waiting to be implemented. However it goes will mean a major last-minute change on the basis of a Test career that reads 60, 8, 23, 22.
Continue reading...
Read more at The Guardian
Topics
-
Ukraine Is Losing Fewer Soldiers Than Russia — but It’s Still Losing the War
Russia has lost about twice as many men to death and serious injury as Ukraine. But the trends favor the Kremlin.The New York Times - 3d -
Why the stone citadel of Sigiriya in Sri Lanka is my wonder of the world
The landscape is not the dead relic of a foregone age. It is a living reminder of how knowledge tailored to the local ecology is essential. When I was 11, I was given the Atlas of Mysterious Places ...The Guardian - 3d -
Buckle up: The Trump show is back and bigger than ever
After four years covering a White House that prided itself on the clockwork predictability of process and routine, political reporters awoke on Tuesday morning to the familiar feeling of Trumpian ...The Hill - 4d -
Australia eye Ashes whitewash as depth leaves England with no answers | Geoff Lemon
Stars such as Alyssa Healy and Ash Gardner not missed as home side close in on cleansweep against overhyped rivals. “England’s best format is T20.” It’s been a mantra through this Women’s Ashes ...The Guardian - 6d -
Relax, Australia: confected outrage about Sam Konstas hides the real issue | Barney Ronay
The energy expended on my ‘Ashes war of words’ would be better directed at the fight for the future of Test cricket. Australia: an apology. Earlier this week I wrote an article that compared one ...The Guardian - Jan. 18 -
'Saturday Night Live' is more than a show, it's a world. And there's nothing like it
The sketch comedy show is celebrating 50 seasons with two documentaries and an upcoming prime-time special that reflect on its standing as an American institution.Los Angeles Times - Jan. 17 -
Raducanu believes she ‘has nothing to lose’ as Swiatek threat looms large
Briton has lost all her previous matches with world No 2 ‘I’m just going to swing,’ in third round says 22-year-old Emma Raducanu says she has nothing to lose and will try to swing freely as she ...The Guardian - Jan. 17 -
Bigger than San Francisco: LA fires carve mark on history
Even as four wildfires continued to burn in Los Angeles County Wednesday, the blazes were already rewriting the record books.ABC News - Jan. 16 -
The end comes quickly for India’s fading champions ahead of Test series finale | Geoff Lemon
The tourists must pick the best possible XI as decline of Virat Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma is laid clear in Australia. Australian tours have a habit of making or breaking Test careers. VVS ...The Guardian - Jan. 2
More from The Guardian
-
Palestinians to return to northern Gaza after deal on Israeli civilian hostage reached, says Qatar
Benjamin Netanyahu confirms Qatar statement, with Palestinians set to return to north on Monday and Arbel Yehoud to be released on Thursday. See all our Middle East coverage Mediator Qatar has ...The Guardian - 4h -
Jewish non-profit chief says Musk will spur violence with his ‘Nazi salute’
Amy Spitalnick of Jewish Council for Public Affairs warns far right will take action as ‘license for violent extremism’. The head of a prominent US Jewish civil rights body said Elon Musk’s ...The Guardian - 17h -
Colombia rejects US military flights with deportees and sets off feud with Trump
Trump had called for ‘retaliatory measures’ including 50% tariffs on Colombia after Gustavo Petro blocked two aircraft. Colombian president Gustavo Petro blocked two US military aircraft carrying ...The Guardian - 4h -
Chiefs return to Super Bowl after breaking Bills’ hearts in another thriller
Buffalo Bills 29–32 Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City will face Philadelphia in Super Bowl Them again. The “three-peat” is alive for the Kansas City Chiefs after they narrowly overcame the ...The Guardian - 1h -
South Korean president indicted for insurrection over martial law decree
Impeached leader Yoon Suk Yeoul could face years in prison after six-hour imposition which set off political upheaval. South Korea’s prosecutors indicted the impeached president, Yoon Suk Yeol, on ...The Guardian - 17h
More in World
-
Shippers Wary of Red Sea Routes Despite Houthi Pledge to End Targeting
The world’s top three container operators said they fear instability in Gaza and broader regional tensions mean continued danger.The Wall Street Journal - 33m -
Kim Jong Un Is Doing Everything He Can to Keep North Korea's Youth in Line
The dictator, eager to shut out the influence of Hollywood and K-pop, has been exalting a “shock brigade” of 300,000 teens and 20-somethings drafted into flood reconstruction.The Wall Street Journal - 33m -
Trump Says Colombia Will Accept Deportees, Ending Tariff Standoff
The president has made immigration an early priority to start second term, with ICE making over 900 arrests Sunday.The Wall Street Journal - 34m -
Jeju Air Crash Probe Focuses On Engine Damage After Bird Strike
Pilots’ actions after the bird strike are an early focus of the investigation, according to people familiar with the probe.The Wall Street Journal - 40m -
Chiefs return to Super Bowl after breaking Bills’ hearts in another thriller
Buffalo Bills 29–32 Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City will face Philadelphia in Super Bowl Them again. The “three-peat” is alive for the Kansas City Chiefs after they narrowly overcame the ...The Guardian - 1h