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‘A softer landing’: Selectors warned on Konstas debut in India showdown

‘A softer landing’: Selectors warned on Konstas debut in India showdown

Former Test opener Chris Rogers believes Australia’s selectors risk damaging teenager Sam Konstas’ young career by prematurely throwing him into a five-Test showdown with India.

But Rogers’ former teammate and current Test paceman Josh Hazlewood believes that if you’re good enough, you are old enough, having himself debuted for Australia at 19.

Sam Konstas.Credit: Getty Images

These two polar opposite viewpoints will be settled by selection chair George Bailey and his panel after the looming Australia A game against India A in Mackay, where Konstas, Marcus Harris, Nathan McSweeney will lead the battle for spots in the Test side for Perth next month.

A 13-man squad will be chosen with one spare bowler, meaning there will be two batting spots available in the squad and then one in the final XI.

Rogers, the coach of Victoria, is duty-bound to spruik for Harris, who at 32 has played 14 Tests and did not disgrace himself over five previous Tests against India.

But he also has plenty of first-hand experience of the brutal nature of four and five-match Test series, where seasoned cricketers work to break down the techniques and mental fortitude of their opponents over long hours in the field.

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“I know there’s a lot of talk about Konstas,” Rogers told SEN Radio. “I would just ask the question is he going to help win us this series, and if he’s not, if we don’t think he’s going to make that much of a difference, I would just leave it for this summer just because going and facing India could set you back a little bit.

“And there’s no rush, he’s only 19, there’s going to be a big future for him. Maybe a softer landing. I know some people won’t agree with that, but I think to go up against India, you’ve got to be resilient, you’ve got to have things in order when it goes wrong, because they’re going to challenge you hard.