Teenager Sam Constance has been called up to Australia’s squad for the final two Tests against India at the expense of Nathan McSweeney.
The uncapped Constance was included in Australia’s 15-man squad for the final two Tests on Friday, with pacer Jaye Richardson another new face in place of injured fast bowler Josh Hazlewood.
At 19 years and 85 days, Konstas will become the fourth-youngest Test debutant in Australia’s history if selected for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, and the youngest since current captain Pat Cummins in 2011.
The opening batsman became the youngest man to score a half-century in the competition two days after making his Big Bash League debut for Sydney Thunder.
The Australia-India series is level 1-1 after a rain-interrupted draw ended at the Gabba in Brisbane on Wednesday.
India won the first Test by 295 runs in Perth, while Australia bounced back to win the second day-night Test in Adelaide by 10 wickets.
Chief selector George Bailey said, “Sam gets a call-up to the Test squad for the first time. His batting style provides a point of difference and we look forward to seeing his game develop further.”
Sam Constance makes his debut for Sydney Thunder
“We are confident that Nathan has the ability and temperament to succeed at Test level in the future. It was a difficult decision to drop him.”
McSweeney’s inclusion pushed McSweeney out of the frame after both he and fellow opener Usman Khawaja failed miserably in the first three Tests against India. No one scored above 40 in this series.
Pacer Scott Boland is expected to be called up to replace Hazlewood in the XI at the MCG, where he memorably took 6-7 in the second innings on his Test debut three years ago.
Australia Squad: Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Constance, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Jay Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, Beau Webster.
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