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Nathan McSweeney in box seat for Test selection despite Sam Konstas staring late in Australia A win

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Aaron KirbyThe West Australian
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Sam Konstas starred on the final day.
Camera IconSam Konstas starred on the final day. Credit: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Nathan McSweeney looks all but set to become Test cap 467 after Marcus Harris and Cam Bancroft ended their Test auditions against India A in the worst possible fashion.

However, teenage sensation Sam Konstas gave the South Australian a late run, guiding Australia A to victory over India A with an unbeaten 73 on the final day at the MCG.

Harris played a lone hand in the first innings of the second Australia A clash at the home of cricket, hitting 74 from 138 deliveries.

But needing one more score to convince national selectors he deserved another shot at Test redemption, the Victorian was out first ball for no score, wafting poorly at a full ball outside his off stump.

Bancroft’s baffling nightmare then continued, trapped lbw next ball by a searing yorker to also make the long trek back to the sheds without a run to his name.

It was the perfect chance for the pair to make their last impressions in a middling run chase of 169.

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However, it opened the door for McSweeney and 19-year-old Konstas.

McSweeney improved on his first-innings 14 in his second attempt as an out-and-out opener, but not by much, as he was dismissed for a gruelling 25 from 69 balls with a lone boundary.

Sam Konstas and Beau Webster of Australia A walk from the ground.
Camera IconSam Konstas and Beau Webster of Australia A walk from the ground. Credit: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

But the young New South Welshman grabbed his chance batting at four with both hands.

He had looked out of his depth against India A, but with the match on the line, Konstas gave another tantalising glimpse of the prodigious talent that already has him on the verge of the Test team.

His innings started in scratchy fashion, but as the loud Indian support pushed their team towards victory, Konstas found his form.

He clattered seven boundaries and a maximum as he and Beau Webster steadily worked the Aussies to victory by six wickets.

Webster also pushed his name to the forefront of selectors’ minds should a slot in the middle-order open up, finishing the clash unbeaten on 46.

He was also awarded Player of the Match for the knock on top of his bowling figures of 4-19 and 4-49.

It is understood selectors will reach a consensus this evening on the Test and players will be informed, with an announcement expected on Sunday morning ahead of the Perth ODI between Australia and Pakistan.

West Australian off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli revealed the ‘bat-off’ openers hadn’t let the stress get to them during the enthralling contest.

“Everyone’s been the same as what they usually are,” Rocchiccioli said.

“I’m sure there might have been some nerves for some of the batters that were auditioning for the Test spot. But yeah, I think everyone sort of held the same sort of character throughout the week. They’re a jovial bunch who like to crack some gags. So yeah, that sort of stayed throughout the game.”

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