Galle, Feb 4 (UNI) Rising Australian star Sam Konstas has left Sri Lanka early after he failed to find a place in the team XI for the second Test.
Australia expects a more traditional Galle pitch for the second and final Test in Sri Lanka, after taking full advantage of conditions to dominate the series opener.
Following the main training session, Konstas returned to the hotel to start packing for his flight home to Sydney after he missed out on being considered for the second Test, according to The Age.
Konstas was brought to Sri Lanka after his heroics to help the Aussies clinch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Melbourne and Sydney, but did not feature in the opening Test, which Australia won by an innings and 242 runs.
Instead, Head rose up from the middle order and debutant Josh Inglis scored a century on debut, with Konstas’ treatment sparking much debate.
The 19-year-old was battling illness for much of the first Test and was involved in a centre wicket net session on Tuesday but then returned to the team hotel to pack for his return to Sydney. He was not being considered for the second Test XI, according to a News.com.au report.
“That’s the plan. Hopefully, I can be back for the first game (NSW vs Queensland on Saturday),” Konstas told The Age.
“It’s been a huge honour being in the squad and learning from the likes of Travis Head, Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, the way they go about it. And obviously having experience in the Asian continent in Dubai.
“It’s been about understanding what works in these conditions, and hopefully I can emulate that after I get back to Sydney. Understanding your strengths and trying to do it for as long as possible in these conditions.”
He added: “I totally understood the decision (not to play in the first Test), Travis Head’s a legend of the game and he’s been dominating in these conditions up top.
Ollie Peake, the 18-year-old who joined the tour as a development player, is also heading home.
Head took full advantage of a less dry Galle pitch in the series opener, leading the Aussies into a dominant position before it tried out and was more favourable for spinners from day three.
With much warmer conditions the pitch has been “baking” and it’s expected to be a more traditional spin-friendly surface when play begins on Thursday.
“You could play on it right now and you’d be happy. You’ve got to take it for face value, look at it again tomorrow and then the next morning,” Head said.
