Konstas back as Australia opt to bat in Barbados Test
Without old hands Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, Australia have put their new-look top-order immediately in the firing line as they won the toss against the West Indies and opted to bat in their Test series opener at Bridgetown.
As is traditional at the famous venue, staging its first Test since 2022, the visitors were keen to cash in first-up at the Kensington Oval on Wednesday as they dropped Marnus Labuschagne for the first time in six years following the loss in the World Test Championship final against South Africa two weeks ago at Lord's.
Smith was also out of action because of the finger injury he suffered in the final, although he could be available for the second Test.
Sam Konstas, who made a spectacular debut in December against India at just 19, replaces Labuschagne for his first match since March, while Josh Inglis bats at No. 4 in place of Smith.
Middle-order batter Roston Chase is the new West Indies captain after Kraigg Brathwaite stepped down. Chase is playing his first Test since March 2023 beside top-order batter Brandon King, who makes his test debut at the age of 30.
King has played more than 100 white-ball matches for the West Indies.
Wicketkeeper Shai Hope, the West Indies white-ball captain, wears Test whites for the first time since 2021 and opening batter John Campbell makes his first Test appearance since 2022.
Only three players are retained from the West Indies' last test in January in Pakistan: Brathwaite, Justin Greaves and Jomel Worrican.
Test line-ups:
West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Brandon King, Shai Hope, Roston Chase (captain), Justin Greaves, Jomel Warrican, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales.
Australia: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
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