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Important SN update for SouthlandKonstas to open as Cummins confirms team to face Windies
Emily Benammar • June 25th, 2025 9:28 am
- [Listen live to SEN's cricket call
- SEN coverage starts 11:30pm Weds June 25
- Sam Konstas will open for Aus
- Inglis at No 4 for Smith
Teen sensation Sam Konstas will partner Usman Khawaja as Australia’s opening batsmen when they get the first Test against the West Indies underway on Thursday, Pat Cummins has confirmed.
All-rounder Cam Green will remain at No 3 for the long-term as Josh Inglis comes in to replace the injured Steve Smith at No 4.
They are the only changes to the side which lost in the World Test Championship against South Africa at Lords earlier this month.
Cummins has back Konstas to again show the world what he is capable of as he is given the opportunity to get some Test experience under his belt as Australia looks towards the Ashes this summer.
“We’re relaxed and we’ve had some great training sessions we’re itching to get out there,” Cummins told SEN Cricket.
“Sam is still young and finding his craft. Now is the time to put him in to give him his chance to show what he can do and open. We’re excited to see what he brings.
It’s the start of a new cycle so we have to start winning some games and get ourselves up there. We have a couple of new faces, so it feels different.”
For the first time as captain and since 2018, Cummins will take to the field without Smith and Marnus Labuschagne who was dropped after the WTC.
Explaining the decision to keep Green at 4 and lifting the lid on how Labuschagne has handled his demotion, Cummins added: “I think Steve Smith is going to be hard to dislodge from No 4 while he’s still playing so there’s an opening at 3 and Greeny deserves that spot.
“We’re always hesitant to move the main pillars.
“It’s going to be a bit different. Missing Steve as vice but (Travis) Head will fill those boots.
“Marnus will be missing, he’s the energizer bunny, but he’s still around so we will still hear from him.”
Australia have not played against the West Indies since January 2024 and safe to say the host side have undergone quite an overhaul since their surprise victory at the Gabba.
Only three players from that match remain in the starting XI – Carlos Brathwaite, Justin Greaves and Jomel Warrican.
Embracing the element of surprise that awaits them, Cummins insists Australia will have a plan of attack.
“We grew up hearing a lot of stories about West Indies cricket and you see it when you’re here,” he said.
“We don’t always know what to expect, we’ve played about half of them before but there are some unknowns going into the Test.”
Australia XI: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
West Indies XI: Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Brandon King, Roston Chase (c), Shai Hope (wk), Justin Greaves, Jomel Warrican, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales
SCHEDULE
West Indies v Australia June 26-30 from midnight (AEST)
West Indies v Australia July 4-8 from midnight (AEST)
West Indies v Australia July 13-17 from 4:30am AEST
West Indies v Australia July 4-8 from midnight (AEST)
West Indies v Australia July 13-17 from 4:30am AEST
