McDonald says it’s too early to judge whether Konstas will make it at Test level

St George’s: Australian coach Andrew McDonald says selectors remain committed to Sam Konstas, despite the young batter’s modest returns in the early stages of his Test career.

After scores of 3, 5, 25 and 0 in Australia’s two Test victories over the West Indies in the Caribbean, things will get even more challenging for the 19-year-old in a pink ball day-night fixture in Jamaica starting Saturday (Sunday morning AEST).

From four Tests, Konstas has made 146 runs at an average of 18.25. His first-class average is 31.66.

McDonald said the sample size was too small to form definitive judgments on the teenager’s long-term prospects and praised his efforts to be more proactive at the crease during the second Test in Grenada.

“Four games, eight innings - it’s probably early for anyone to judge really,” McDonald said. “I think the challenges in Test cricket aren’t necessarily always a skill level or your technique. It’s dealing with the moments, the pressure, all the other things that externally come with that as well. He’s a player finding his feet in the environment. Do we think he’s good enough? Yes, we do.

“[It was] a small step forward in the last game with that first innings. His first 20-odd balls [in the first innings] he had positive intent. He was moving a lot better compared to the game before, where it looked like he was stuck in the middle and didn’t know whether to play a shot ... either ultra-aggressive or ultra-defensive.

“I’m not going to say it’s a huge step forward, but it was a small step forward last Test match, and we look forward to him growing as a player in this environment.”

McDonald indicated Australia would likely stick with the same XI in Kingston for what is now a dead rubber, with the series already wrapped up.

“If you sat here right now and the conditions were the same as what was presented in the first couple of Test matches, and everyone pulled up fine, then it’s highly unlikely for any change,” McDonald said. “There’s nothing to suggest anything’s wrong with anyone.”

The selectors’ preference, McDonald added, was to back players where possible, pointing to the recent decision to rest No.3 Marnus Labuschagne as an example of knowing when to intervene.

“I think hopefully over a period of time, people have seen the style of the selection panel, and that is to support the players,” McDonald said. “We understand how difficult the game can be at times. But then there’s also the realisation, if a player needs to sit out, which is what the decision was with Marnus to regroup and grow and go again … then we’re prepared to do that as well.

“We’d like to back our players, and hopefully they feel supported.”

While hundreds in Kingston for either Konstas or Usman Khawaja would bolster their Ashes chances, McDonald said ultimately the upcoming domestic summer would be key to selection decisions ahead of the first Test against England in Perth on November 21.

“I think the first four rounds of Shield cricket will draw a better connection to the Ashes than what we’re seeing here,” McDonald said.

“Everyone will be speculating around who can come in, what possibilities are, but we’re confident the players that we’ve got here can do the job.

“Do we want some more output there [from the top order]? There’s no doubt about that. In the context of this series, it’s been very tricky at the top of the order with variable bounce. We’re proud of the boys for wrapping up another away series.”

Australia flies to Jamaica on Tuesday and will have their first session on Wednesday under lights at Sabina Park. The last time Australia were in Kingston for a Test, Steve Smith made 199 in a 277-run victory that ended just after lunch on day four.

McDonald said Australia have been told new floodlights at Sabina Park are working and ready to go.