Should Australia Continue Supporting Struggling Batters Green and Konstas for the WI Tour?
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Synopsis
In a compelling appeal, former Australia Test captain Mark Taylor advocates for the continued support of struggling batters Cameron Green and Sam Konstas during their Test tour of the West Indies. Despite their recent challenges, Taylor believes in their potential to perform and secure their places within the team as they face the series ahead.
Key Takeaways
- Mark Taylor urges support for young talents Cameron Green and Sam Konstas.
- The duo's recent performances have been below par.
- Steve Smith is expected to return, but Taylor believes in the need for continuity with young players.
- The strong Australian bowling attack has been overshadowing top-order batting issues.
- Current runs are primarily coming from positions five, six, and seven.
New Delhi, June 29 (NationPress) Former Australia Test captain Mark Taylor has called for the team to continue supporting the underperforming batters Cameron Green and Sam Konstas for the remainder of their Test tour in the West Indies. This follows their disappointing scores during the visitors’ win in the opening match of the series.
While Konstas scored 3 and 5 in both innings, Green managed just 3 and 15 in Barbados. With Steve Smith expected to be available for the second Test in Grenada, Taylor believes Australia should keep faith in young batters Konstas and Green.
"I believe Cameron Green must be retained for this tour. Steve Smith will likely come back in, having recovered from his broken finger in the US. He'll likely slot back in at number four once he's ready.
"Australia needs to persist here. Sam Konstas is stepping in as the new opener at just 19 years old, and as has been widely reported, he is still a work in progress. However, he represents our best young talent.
"He deserves the chance to secure his position. The same goes for Cameron Green. Currently 26 years old, with 30 Test matches under his belt, he averages only 33, but has proven his capability – he scored 174 last year in a Test match, leading Australia to victory. However, right now, he seems a bit anxious.
"He is pressing hard at the ball, affected by previous injuries and an inconsistent career with Test matches. Yet, we must continue supporting him as they are our best two young prospects," Taylor stated on Nine's Wide World of Sports.
He also expressed concern that the impressive performances from Australia’s fast bowlers and lower order batsmen were overshadowing the issues within the top order batting lineup. "It was a significant win, undeniably. Bowlers are crucial for winning Test matches; you need 20 wickets most times, and Australia boasts an exceptional bowling attack.
"We've maintained this for a significant duration. Yet, there are evident gaps. We are still trying to finalize our top order, particularly the top three, especially since Steve Smith was absent from that match. Consequently, we had a relatively new top four. Currently, our runs in Test matches predominantly come from positions five, six, and seven.
"Travis Head was named man of the match in that fixture. Beau Webster scored 60 runs, and Alex Carey, arguably the most reliable player in the team after Steve Smith, batted at number seven and also scored 60 in the second innings. Our runs are currently being generated from the lower order, not the top order," he concluded.
Point of View
I believe that supporting our young talent like Green and Konstas is essential for building a robust future for Australian cricket. Their potential is evident, and with continued backing, they could emerge as key players in the team.
NationPress
29/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Mark Taylor advocate for Green and Konstas?
Mark Taylor believes in the potential and future of young players Cameron Green and Sam Konstas, emphasizing their need for support despite recent struggles.
What are Green and Konstas' recent performances?
Both players have had disappointing scores in the opening Test against the West Indies, with Konstas scoring 3 and 5, while Green managed 3 and 15.
What does Taylor say about the Australian bowling attack?
Taylor commends Australia's exceptional bowling attack, highlighting their consistent ability to secure wins, while pointing out the need to strengthen the top-order batting.
