Konstas will become the fourth youngest Australian to make his Test debut at 19 years and 85 days on Boxing Day against India, with only Ian Craig, current captain Pat Cummins and Tom Garrett making their debuts at a younger age .
“We said from the beginning, going into the summer, that we would not be afraid and that age was not a barrier,” McDonald said. And what he showed is a range of shots, an ability to put pressure on his opponents and he gets his opportunity. We’re really excited for him.
Head had a short hit Tuesday in the nets after running and playing in the outfield, having done nothing in Monday’s optional session.
“Does he have things to take care of?” Yes, he did,” McDonald said. “So that’s what you would have seen. There is no problem at the moment. Has it been officially checked off? I’m not sure. I didn’t see the kind of end of practice there, but I’m pretty confident he’ll play.
“I think he looked good with the stick in his hand, so obviously the skills are in good shape. Yes, it will just be the risk associated with that. He had a little tension in his quad.
“But no worries on my part. He was able to run, yes, so I think he will be fully functional come game time.
Head had a lengthy discussion with McDonald and Australian physio Nick Jones shortly after his hit in the net, but the coach played it down.
“It was more about field position and what he was capable of there,” McDonald said. “Clearly he comes from a stock, he has that, obviously the demands of the batting mat.
“So that’s all it was about. And my question to Nick Jones was just about what he needed to do to finish the session, so I had already achieved that before, or I was just making sure nothing had changed during the session, and then we just started to talk about India, about what they could do. So it wasn’t anything really specific.
“If we didn’t pick Scotty here, and I’m not allowed to declare the team, because it’s Pat’s job tomorrow, but I don’t think I’ll come to the ground on Boxing Day if Scotty isn’t the XI so you can go too,” McDonald said.
McDonald did not confirm whether there would be any other changes. This seems unlikely given that Mitchell Marsh is in great shape. He had one of his longest bowling spells of the summer in the nets on Tuesday and appeared to be moving well after overcoming the back problems that had plagued him since he suffered spasms during the fourth ODI against the England at Lord’s rear in September.
“Just to clarify, Mitch Marsh is fully fit and available to play,” McDonald said. “I know he only bowled two overs in the last match, and people were speculating about that, but it was more because of the weather interventions, and we are able to keep our fast bowlers fresh, even though we’ve only had two out of three running. But he’s ready to go, and I think he’ll play a bigger role in this test match with the ball than the previous ones.
McDonald was happy to have him in the team alongside other spare fast bowler Sean Abbott and believes he could be needed in Sydney if the Melbourne Test were to last five days and the Australian bowlers were put out. tough test. Although McDonald thought that was unlikely given the surface and lighter charges Cummins and Mitchell Starc have had so far throughout the series.
“Jhye has been impressive,” McDonald said. “He definitely had a setback in the Shield game with his shoulder. With each passing week, people are convinced that this reduces the risk. And what we saw in nets today is a highly skilled player, and he’s getting closer to his best level, which is exciting for us.
“Carrying the two extra quickies on the team with a short lead time, I think it’s real. If this game becomes long and short, then you have to make some decisions. Our frontline quicks, in terms of Starcy and Paddy, are well placed. Probably, less load than we would have expected after three Test matches, does that give them the opportunity to come back from Test four to Test five? I would say it’s very likely.