Inglis firms for Test debut with Konstas set for axe

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Inglis firms for Test debut with Konstas set for axe

Josh Inglis is firming for a Test debut, with Sam Konstas set to be dropped for Australia’s first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.

The writing appeared on the wall for teenage top-order sensation Konstas when stand-in captain Steve Smith confirmed the day before play that Travis Head would shift to the top of the order.

Head thrived as an opener on Australia’s previous visit to the subcontinent in 2023, averaging 55.75, while Konstas is embarking on his first Test tour.

It’s a blow to Konstas, who helped Australia clinch a rare series victory over India in his first two Tests and had been favoured by Ricky Ponting to retain the opener’s spot next to Usman Khawaja.

Head’s move opened up a vacancy at No.5, where Inglis is likely to be selected as a specialist batter after long featuring in Test squads as back-up wicketkeeper to Alex Carey.

Inglis has played 55 white-ball matches for Australia and is favoured to claim the middle-order spot ahead of Nathan McSweeney, who had been vying for a recall after playing three Tests out of position as an opener this summer.

Inglis has more top-level experience on Asian wickets than McSweeney, having won the 2023 World Cup in India, and is set to bring similar middle-order aggression to Head.

Australia will wait until inspecting the conditions on the morning of the toss before determining whether to play two or three front-line spinners.

Nathan Lyon and newly-fit left-armer Matthew Kuhnemann appear locks for selection, leaving SCG pace hero Scott Boland and offspinner Todd Murphy vying for the remaining spot.

Day one of the first Test starts at 3.30pm AEDT on Wednesday.

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