NSW teen prodigy Sam Konstas pips Matt Renshaw in Australia A squad for India A series

Matt Renshaw has encountered a setback as teenage prodigy Sam Konstas has been preferred in Australia 'A' squad to face India 'A' from October 31 to November 10. This comes after Renshaw's scores of 6 and 15 for Queensland in a Sheffield Shield 2024 game against Western Australia.  

Renshaw, who scored 414 runs in 12 innings in County Championship 2024 for Somerset, was primed to make his Test return and replace the injured Cameron Green in 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, the selectors have given a chance to teen prodigy Konstas after he recently became the youngest to hit twin tons in Sheffield Shield since Ricky Ponting's similar feat in 1993. 

Meanwhile, chief selector George Bailey did not give up on the prospect of utilising Renshaw's prowess with the bat in the future. "We still really like Matt's ability to play. As far as Australia 'A' selection goes, part of the process around that is trying to identify opportunities that may come around in the short-term; but also making sure that we do keep an eye on developing opportunities, providing opportunities for those players who may become important in different roles in the future as well," Bailey was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

Also Read: India to play warm-up game against India A in Perth ahead of first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test

Konstas looks really organised and composed at the crease: Bailey

Bailey also spoke highly of youngster Konstas, reckoning that he looks "organised and composed".

"(Konstas) is five games into his first-class career. He looks really organised and composed at the crease. It's good recognition that he's been given the opportunity to play Australia 'A' but I don't think it's to the detriment or taking your eye off how consistent Cam Bancroft and Marcus Harris have been," added Bailey.

Also Read: Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25: No place for Mohammed Siraj in former selector's India XI

Australia A squad to face India A

Nathan McSweeney (c), Cameron Bancroft, Scott Boland, Jordan Buckingham, Cooper Connolly, Ollie Davies, Marcus Harris, Sam Konstas, Nathan McAndrew, Michael Neser, Todd Murphy, Fergus O'Neill, Jimmy Peirson, Josh Philippe, Corey Rocchiccioli, Mark Steketee, Beau Webster