Death-riding Sam Konstas? You're better than that, and so is he

PL: Sam Konstas has the slimmest of chances of playing 1st Test, but there's a disturbing tone to some of this debate

Sam Konstas’ chances of playing in this Ashes series diminish further with every successful Marnus Labuschagne innings of late.

Since his failure in the ODIs against South Africa the exiled Queenslander has scored 574 runs in six innings: 130 (v Vic, List A), 2 (v WA, List A), 160 (v Tas, FC), 105 (v Tas List A), 199 & 18 (v SA FC).

When Labuschagne was brought into the one-day team this week, you could take it as a given that this signalled he is in the Test team. And, so he should be.

Konstas’ chances, slim as they were, took another slight blow with confirmation that Cameron Green has a side strain and will miss the ODIs (Labuschagne has come in as a replacement). George Bailey has insisted that the elongated West Australian will be fine.

“It’s a very conservative decision around getting that right, playing Shield three and four and bringing the bowling online,” Bailey said.

“I don’t think he’s going to come out in the first Test and bowling 30 overs, but the expectation and plan that he’ll be able to participate as an allrounder in that first Test is still well on track.”

Still, any concerns about Green’s ability to bowl overs in the summer, especially with Pat Cummins not completely fit, would ensure that Beau Webster at No.6 – if he gets back on the park and among the runs/wickets – and Konstas on the outer.

Even if Green dropped down to the middle order and Labuschagne came in as first drop, the feeling is that selectors would look more favourably on Jake Weatherald or Marcus Harris before returning to Konstas.