Australia's teenage opener Sam Konstas was chosen as the designated opener for the West Indies Test series after make-shift opener Marnus Labuschagne was dropped. Australia backed the youngster to deliver the goods against a potent-looking Caribbean attack. However, disaster unfolded after the three-match Test series, as Konstas averaged just 8.33, scoring 50 runs in six innings. Australia coach Andrew McDonald, though, has backed the 19-year-old to come good and said to press to not judge the opener based on one Test series.
Speaking on The New Ball on Sen Radio, the Australian coach said, it was "really difficult to make accurate judgements" about batting performances, especially after the third Pink-ball Test at Sabina Park, which he felt "didn't even look like cricket" at times.
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The last Test was played under lights with Pink Dukes ball, which seemed and swung prodigiously. It ended dramatically, as the hosts were all out for just 27 runs - the second-ever lowest score in Test cricket history.
"That cricket was borderline impossible to play at certain stages, some of those deliveries from Mitchell Starc, the way that ball behaved under lights, it's a bigger question for what the pink Dukes look like for Test match cricket, really," McDonald said.
Sam Konstas will learn from his weakness: McDonald
After the torrid series, many questioned whether the experience may have worsened him, rather than doing good. Aussie coach denied and backed the youngster, saying he will learn what he needs to work on.
"I don't think anyone's damaged by being exposed to Test cricket. It gives you a taste of what that level is like, and he's clear on what he needs to work on."
McDonald agreed that Konstas's natural aggression and technique are still developing, and that the conditions he encountered in the Caribbean were very challenging.
"When you've got up-and-down seaming wickets, it can force you into those corners a lot quicker than surfaces that are batter-friendly."
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The Aussie coach also stated that Labuschagne's Test career is not over after the batter was dropped for the first time since making his Test debut in 2019.
"He averages 46 in Test match cricket. We feel as though this wasn't going to be a huge gap before he does return because of the quality."
After the West Indies Test series, Australia will next play England in a grueling five-match Test series Down Under in November and January 2026.
