Australian cricket crisis deepens as Sam Konstas and Cam Green fail at the crease again

News.com.au

4 hours ago

Australia are at risk of losing back-to-back Tests to the West Indies as the batsmen struggle in Barbados.
Much like in the first innings, Australian young gun Sam Konstas looked badly out of his depth as he fell cheaply in the second innings of Australia's first Test against the West Indies.
The 19-year-old looked visibly nervous as he began his sixth Test innings, and those jitters were on full display out in the middle as he was dropped twice in three balls on zero by West Indies slips fielders John Campbell and Justin Greaves.
The teenager first charged down the pitch at West Indies seamer Shamar Joseph, but could only manage a thick outside edge, with John Campbell spilling a regulation chance.
Two balls later, Greaves dropped him again,
Veteran Aussie opener Usman Khawaja came down the pitch to try and calm his nerves.
But in Konstas fashion, he tried to relieve some of the pressure with his textbook aggression, charging down the pitch but swung and missed.
In the end, his scratchy innings came to an end after Konstas lazily prodded outside off and chopped a bottom edge back onto his stumps, as his horror innings ended with five runs off 38 balls.`
After his latest dismissal, Konstas' average has dipped to just 20.16 in his six Test innings. And fans were questioning if it was the right move to rush him back into the team for the struggling Marnus Labuschagne.
And fans questioned whether his incredible Boxing Day knock, where he took Jasprit Bumrah to all parts of the ground, was the reason he earned such a quick recall, which ended in scores of 3 and 5.
'Sam Konstas gone for 5. That's the worst 5 I think I've ever seen. But that knock on Boxing Day … warra ripper,' one fan wrote after the young Aussie was dismissed.
'His technique is just not good. He can't play off the back foot and his elbow is far too high,' another added.
'Konstas is not Test cricket ready. Doesn't move his feet,' a third wrote.
Meanwhile, his fellow batsmen have also struggled in Barbados, with Khawaja (15) and Inglis (12) also falling cheaply in the second innings.
Cameron Green also struggled again in his new No. 3 role.
After escaping a potentially fortunate LBW review, the West Australian inexplicably flashed at a wide delivery off Justin Greaves, which he edged and was caught with ease in slips for 15.
Safe to say him slotting in at No.3, has not been the instant success Australian selectors would have hoped for.
Since coming back into the team he has scores of 4, 0, 3 and today's 15.
Starting the day at 4-57 in response to Australia's moderate total of 180, the West Indies were skittled fairly quickly for 190 after 63.2 overs.
After the second drop Brandon King (26) was bowled by Josh Hazlewood, the home side was 5-72 and appeared certain to enter the second innings behind.
But captain Roston Chase (44) and wicketkeeper Shai Hope (48) dug deep to lift them to all-out for 190, giving them a 10-run lead heading into the second innings as they look to claim a victory over Australia in the Caribbean for the first time since 2003.
In response, as of 7am, Australia are 4/74, with Travis Head (9) and Beau Webster (6).