Australian teen Konstas ready for Indian pace challenge

SYDNEY: Teenage opener Sam Konstas says he is ready and equiped to take on India´s feared pace attack in the Boxing Day Test after being called up to Australia´s squad for the first time.

The 19-year-old is poised to open alongside veteran Usman Khawaja -- twice his age at 38 -- at a sold-out Melbourne Cricket Ground after Nathan McSweeney was axed after just three Tests.

“I´m very excited,” he told Fox Sports after being dismissed for a three-ball duck playing for Sydney Thunder in the Twenty20 Big Bash League on Saturday. “I want to be challenged and I´ve got a few plans against India´s bowlers. I feel like I´m moving really nicely so hopefully I get that opportunity.”

Australia´s top-order has been terrorised by pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah over the first three Tests of the five-match series, which is locked at 1-1. While McSweeney paid the price, Khawaja is also under pressure after a lean spell.

Konstas is not a guaranteed starter, with Josh Inglis and all-rounder Beau Webster also in the squad as other options. Should he pad up, he would become Australia´s youngest Test debutant since skipper Pat Cummins took the field against South Africa at Johannesburg in 2011

Konstas thrust himself into the frame after becoming the youngest player since Ricky Ponting to score two centuries in the same Sheffield Shield match. He also slammed a century playing for the Prime Minister´s XI against India.

Konstas was batting in the nets last week when he got the call from Australian selector George Bailey. “I was so thrilled and called my parents straight away, and they were very emotional,” he said. “Mum was in tears, so I was trying not to cry. Dad was super proud. It´s been an amazing journey with all the ups and downs.”