Australia could have a new opening batter in Sri Lanka, George Bailey said on Thursday (Jan 9) as the visitors announced a 16-man squad for two Tests. Sam Konstas, who made his international debut against India during the Boxing Day Test, impressed everyone with his brave approach in two contested matches, with middle-order dynamite Travis Head looming as another potential option.
Konstas opened in Melbourne, replacing Nathan McSweeney, and took on Jasprit Bumrah. He slammed the ranked number one Test bowler to all parts, including hitting him for a six off a ramp shot, shocking the cricket world. Though he got involved in a verbal tussle with Virat Kohli and Bumrah across two Tests, Konstas&rsquo; whirlwind cameos at the top pressed his case for future selections.
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Speaking of the rookie batter, Bailey said Sam is a quick learner and that they expect him to deliver on his first overseas tour.&nbsp;
"I guess, in truth, you never really know (how they'll handle particular conditions) until someone's faced with them," Bailey said. "What we have seen is he's a quick learner. (He) absorbs a lot of information."&nbsp;
"So, (we're) expecting him to get a lot out of it. I know from his spin play in Australia and the opportunities he's (had) in different parts of the world, we think he's got a game that's well suited and a technique that can stand up."
"But, that's one of the exciting things about this tour&mdash;we will learn a bit more about his game in different conditions to what he's just faced in Australia,&rdquo; the chief selector added.
<h2>&lsquo;Travis is an option&rsquo;</h2>
Travis Head has been Australia&rsquo;s most ruthless batter across formats for some time now. The left-handed batter finished as the highest run-scorer (448 runs in nine innings) in the recently concluded India Tests. He scored back-to-back hundreds in the Adelaide and Brisbane Tests, respectively, and was at the crease when debutant Beau Webster hit the winning runs in the final match to complete the series win.
However, with the Sri Lanka Tests looming, Bailey confirmed that Head also remains in line to play at the top at some point in two Tests, with the head coach (Andrew McDonald) and captain (Steve Smith) taking the final call.
"Trav's an option (to open)," Bailey said.&nbsp;"We've got a number of options, and there's been a few preliminary discussions around where that may land, and that may depend on the makeup of that first XI. I think Andrew (McDonald, head coach) and Steve (Smith, captain) will settle on that in due course once we hit Sri Lanka,&rdquo; he continued.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

Sports, cricket: Australia named a 16-man squad for Sri Lanka Tests, naming Steve Smith as the stand-in captain. Australia has zeroed in on two options as potential openers. 

Australia could have a new opening batter in Sri Lanka, George Bailey said on Thursday (Jan 9) as the visitors announced a 16-man squad for two Tests. Sam Konstas, who made his international debut against India during the Boxing Day Test, impressed everyone with his brave approach in two contested matches, with middle-order dynamite Travis Head looming as another potential option. Konstas opened in Melbourne, replacing Nathan McSweeney, and took on Jasprit Bumrah. He slammed the ranked number one Test bowler to all parts, including hitting him for a six off a ramp shot, shocking the cricket world. Though he got involved in a verbal tussle with Virat Kohli and Bumrah across two Tests, Konstas’ whirlwind cameos at the top pressed his case for future selections. Also read | Pat Cummins doubtful for Champions Trophy 2025, hints George Bailey Speaking of the rookie batter, Bailey said Sam is a quick learner and that they expect him to deliver on his first overseas tour. "I guess, in truth, you never really know (how they'll handle particular conditions) until someone's faced with them," Bailey said. "What we have seen is he's a quick learner. (He) absorbs a lot of information." "So, (we're) expecting him to get a lot out of it. I know from his spin play in Australia and the opportunities he's (had) in different parts of the world, we think he's got a game that's well suited and a technique that can stand up." "But, that's one of the exciting things about this tour—we will learn a bit more about his game in different conditions to what he's just faced in Australia,” the chief selector added. ‘Travis is an option’ Travis Head has been Australia’s most ruthless batter across formats for some time now. The left-handed batter finished as the highest run-scorer (448 runs in nine innings) in the recently concluded India Tests. He scored back-to-back hundreds in the Adelaide and Brisbane Tests, respectively, and was at the crease when debutant Beau Webster hit the winning runs in the final match to complete the series win. However, with the Sri Lanka Tests looming, Bailey confirmed that Head also remains in line to play at the top at some point in two Tests, with the head coach (Andrew McDonald) and captain (Steve Smith) taking the final call. "Trav's an option (to open)," Bailey said. "We've got a number of options, and there's been a few preliminary discussions around where that may land, and that may depend on the makeup of that first XI. I think Andrew (McDonald, head coach) and Steve (Smith, captain) will settle on that in due course once we hit Sri Lanka,” he continued. (With inputs from agencies)

Australia handpick two names as potential openers for Sri Lanka Tests

With two tons and one half-century, India ended the day 1 of the historic one-off Test against Afghanistan at 347 runs for the loss of six wickets.

Openers Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay gave India the required start to have an upper hand over the Test debutants. The two established a partnership of 168 runs before Dhawan gave away an easy catch to Mohammad Nabi off Ahmadzai.

Dhawan downplayed the Afghan attack and started hitting from the very first ball to reach his century in just 87-balls. A stat which we generally see in ODI's.

His 107 runs inning included 19 fours and three sixes.&nbsp

Vijay then took charge and punished Afghanistan's three-pronged spin attack of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Nabi on both sides of the wicket.

Vijay fell leg-before after offering no shot to a Wafadar delivery to depart for 105. The right-hander`s 12th test century included 15 boundaries and a six.

Two balls later, Lokesh Rahul, promoted to number three ahead of Cheteshwar Pujara, chopped an innocuous Ahmadzai delivery onto his stumps to depart after a fluent 54.

Afghanistan, who became the 12th test playing nation, clawed their way back in the final session at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium with some lion-hearted efforts by the bowlers against their top-ranked hosts.

Hardik Pandya was batting on 10 with Ravichandran Ashwin on seven at the other end when stumps were drawn.

Earlier, Dhawan became the first Indian to smash a century in the first session of a test as he and Vijay capitalised on Afghanistan`s limited bowling resources built around their spinners.

Left-handed Dhawan batted in the limited-overs mode to smash 107 off 96 balls, studding his blistering knock with 19 fours and three sixes.

Seamer Yamin Ahmadzai claimed Afghanistan's first wicket in test cricket after the lunch break when Dhawan edged him to Rahmat Shah, who parried it towards the safe hands of Mohammad Nabi at first slip.

Leading the Indian side in the absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli, who is recovering from a neck injury, Rahane made 10 before becoming Rashid's maiden test victim.

Pujara scored 35, while stumper Dinesh Karthik, playing his first test in eight years, made four before being run out in the frantic third session. 
&nbsp

Openers Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay gave India the required start t

With two tons and one half-century, India ended the day 1 of the historic one-off Test against Afghanistan at 347 runs for the loss of six wickets. Openers Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay gave India the required start to have an upper hand over the Test debutants. The two established a partnership of 168 runs before Dhawan gave away an easy catch to Mohammad Nabi off Ahmadzai. Dhawan downplayed the Afghan attack and started hitting from the very first ball to reach his century in just 87-balls. A stat which we generally see in ODI's. His 107 runs inning included 19 fours and three sixes. Vijay then took charge and punished Afghanistan's three-pronged spin attack of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Nabi on both sides of the wicket. Vijay fell leg-before after offering no shot to a Wafadar delivery to depart for 105. The right-hander`s 12th test century included 15 boundaries and a six. Two balls later, Lokesh Rahul, promoted to number three ahead of Cheteshwar Pujara, chopped an innocuous Ahmadzai delivery onto his stumps to depart after a fluent 54. Afghanistan, who became the 12th test playing nation, clawed their way back in the final session at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium with some lion-hearted efforts by the bowlers against their top-ranked hosts. Hardik Pandya was batting on 10 with Ravichandran Ashwin on seven at the other end when stumps were drawn. Earlier, Dhawan became the first Indian to smash a century in the first session of a test as he and Vijay capitalised on Afghanistan`s limited bowling resources built around their spinners. Left-handed Dhawan batted in the limited-overs mode to smash 107 off 96 balls, studding his blistering knock with 19 fours and three sixes. Seamer Yamin Ahmadzai claimed Afghanistan's first wicket in test cricket after the lunch break when Dhawan edged him to Rahmat Shah, who parried it towards the safe hands of Mohammad Nabi at first slip. Leading the Indian side in the absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli, who is recovering from a neck injury, Rahane made 10 before becoming Rashid's maiden test victim. Pujara scored 35, while stumper Dinesh Karthik, playing his first test in eight years, made four before being run out in the frantic third session.

One-off Test: India end day one at 347/6 against Afghanistan

South Africa were 78 for no loss at lunch on the opening day of the second Test match against India at the Centurion at the SuperSport Park, Centurion on Saturday.

Openers Aiden Markram and Dean Elgar had put on a spirited show and are batting on 51 and 26 runs respectively.

The hosts, who lead the three-match series 1-0, elected to bat after winning the toss.

&quot;We are going to bat first again. It is usually very slow on day one and it takes to spin later on. The previous toss was touch and go but all the stats are in favour of the team batting first out here. The cracks could open up over the next few days and it could get difficult. It is still a big fight, two quality teams trying hard to win a Test match and we expect the same from India. There are a few things in the first Test we think we can improve upon. Lungi Ngidi is making his debut on his homeground. He&#39;s an exciting youngster and has a lot of pace and bounce. And that is the only change,&quot; the Proteas skipper said.

Meanwhile, Indian skipper Virat Kohli seems all prepared to give a tough challenge to the Proteas, especially after their loss in the first Test.

&quot;It is a no brainer. We would&#39;ve wanted to bat first as well. The pitch looks very different from what it looked a couple of days ago, all the grass has been taken off. It is more of a situation that&#39;s tricky out here, hopefully the bowlers will step up. Saha has a hammy niggle and we do not want to take a chance with him. KL Rahul comes in for Dhawan and Ishant comes in for Bhuvi to get some extra bounce,&quot; Kohli stated.&nbsp;

The Indian Team management dropped wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha and opener Shikhar Dhawan after they failed to play along with the bouncers and seaming conditions. &nbsp;

Openers Aiden Markram and Dean Elgar were batting on 51 and 26 runs respectively.

South Africa were 78 for no loss at lunch on the opening day of the second Test match against India at the Centurion at the SuperSport Park, Centurion on Saturday. Openers Aiden Markram and Dean Elgar had put on a spirited show and are batting on 51 and 26 runs respectively. The hosts, who lead the three-match series 1-0, elected to bat after winning the toss. "We are going to bat first again. It is usually very slow on day one and it takes to spin later on. The previous toss was touch and go but all the stats are in favour of the team batting first out here. The cracks could open up over the next few days and it could get difficult. It is still a big fight, two quality teams trying hard to win a Test match and we expect the same from India. There are a few things in the first Test we think we can improve upon. Lungi Ngidi is making his debut on his homeground. He's an exciting youngster and has a lot of pace and bounce. And that is the only change," the Proteas skipper said. Meanwhile, Indian skipper Virat Kohli seems all prepared to give a tough challenge to the Proteas, especially after their loss in the first Test. "It is a no brainer. We would've wanted to bat first as well. The pitch looks very different from what it looked a couple of days ago, all the grass has been taken off. It is more of a situation that's tricky out here, hopefully the bowlers will step up. Saha has a hammy niggle and we do not want to take a chance with him. KL Rahul comes in for Dhawan and Ishant comes in for Bhuvi to get some extra bounce," Kohli stated. The Indian Team management dropped wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha and opener Shikhar Dhawan after they failed to play along with the bouncers and seaming conditions.

2nd Test, Day 1: South Africa 78 for no loss at lunch

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