Travis Head doubtful for MCG Test; Sam Konstas set to debut, confirms Australia coach

The superstar Australia National Cricket Team batsman Travis Head is doubtful for the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, and the teenage sensation Sam Konstas is all set to make his debut.

The developments regarding Travis Head and Sam Konstas were confirmed by Australia National Cricket Team head Andrew McDonald a couple of days before the match against India National Cricket Team at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

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Travis Head has been India's biggest headache, Sam Konstas replaced Nathan McSweeney

The 30-year-old Travis Head has been the biggest headache of the Indian team for over a year now. He was the main man behind Australia defeating India in the finals of the ICC World Test Championship and ICC Cricket World Cup.

Travis Head continued his red-hot form in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against India and has looked tremendous with the bat.

Head started off the Test series against India in Perth with a score of 11 but then blasted 89 runs in the second innings. He followed it up with a stunning 140-run knock in Adelaide Test and then in the Brisbane Test, he smashed 152 runs in the first innings.

Currently, Travis Head is the leading run-getter in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 with 405 runs under his belt at an average of 81.80.

Talking about Sam Konstas, he is one of the most talented young cricketers in Australia at the moment. He was included in the squad for the last two Test matches after Nathan McSweeney failed to deliver as an opener in the first three matches.

Sam Konstas, being a 19-year-old, doesn't have a lot of experience in his bag as he has played just 11 matches in first-class cricket and has scored 718 runs at an average of 42.33.

And what he's shown is an array of shots, the ability to put pressure back on opponents - Andrew McDonald on Sam Konstas

Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Andrew McDonald stated that Sam Konstas will be making his debut in the Boxing Day Test, becoming the fourth-youngest Australian to make his Test debut after Ian Craig, Pat Cummins, and Tom Garrett. The head coach also lauded the teenage batsman Sam Konstas for his ability to put pressure back on the opponents. He said:

"We said from the get-go, when leading into the summer, that we wouldn't shy away, and age was no barrier. And what he's shown is an array of shots, the ability to put pressure back on to opponents and he gets his opportunity. We're really excited for him."

Talking about Travis Head, who picked up a minor quad strain in the Brisbane Test, Andrew McDonald said that the batsman isn't 100% cleared to participate in the Melbourne Test but was quite confident of him featuring in the playing XI. He elaborated:

"Has he got some things to work through? Yeah, he has. So that's what you would have seen. There's no concern at the moment. Has he been officially ticked off? I'm not sure. I didn't see the sort of back-end of his training session there, but I'm pretty confident he'll play.

"I think he looked good with the bat in hand so obviously skills are in good order. Yeah, it'll just be basically what risk is associated with that. He had a small strain on the quad. But no concerns from my end. He's been able to be running, yeah, so I think he'll be fully functional come the game time."

Andrew McDonald provides an update on Mitchell Marsh

There have been some concerns surrounding the fitness of star all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, but the head coach confirmed that he is fully fit. Notably, Marsh had one of his longest bowling spells of the summer in the nets on Tuesday, and he looked good.

"Just to clear up, Mitch Marsh is fully fit and available to bowl," McDonald said on the fitness of the all-rounder.

Andrew McDonald also confirmed that Scott Boland will be replacing Josh Hazlewood in the playing XI after the latter got ruled out of the series.

"If we didn't pick Scotty here, and I'm not allowed to declare the team, because that's Pat's job tomorrow, but I don't think I'm coming to the ground Boxing Day if Scotty is not the XI. So you can go with that as well," McDonald said.