How Konstas found out about his Test axing

Konstas was waiting by her phone at Cronulla Beach in Sydney, enjoying a holiday with her siblings, when Bailey called with bad but not surprising news.

Unlike past Ashes teams, there were no leaks this time. Phone calls to players came late and quickly ahead of the midday (AEDT) announcement.

Coincidentally, Konstas and Bailey played five Tests for Australia and neither tasted defeat.

Many times an underperforming player can survive if the team wins, but not this time. Concerns about Konstas’ poor ability to get the ball back and his general approach to kicking were huge.

“There are a handful of lads his age playing Shield cricket all over the country and they are all learning and embarking on the journey of becoming the best cricketer they can be. Sammy is no different,” Bailey said. “He’s doing this under tremendous scrutiny.”

The fart line reappeared and Bailey doubled down.

“This wasn’t a joke,” Bailey said. “The amount of headlines he gets just for playing is phenomenal compared to other players in similar positions across the country.”

Bailey described each conversation with Konstas as “a joy” and said the teenager remained “incredibly optimistic” after the conversation. Konstas was polite and took the news as expected.

However, Konstas was aware that his international career would be put on hold. As a prolific century creator throughout his life, he knows what is expected.

His specific prediction of who could replace him was not included in the Australia squad.

As Bailey said, “even though we try to play cricket, it’s all about the runs.”

By the time Konstas made his debut (he became the fourth youngest Australian in history at the age of 19 years and 79 days) he had scored just 718 first-class runs in 11 matches at 42.23.

While Marnus Labuschagne remains in strong contention for the opening spot, Weatherald, on the contrary, brings a decade of experience: 5269 first-class runs at 37.63 in 76 matches. A versatile player who has a command of his game and the antithesis of Konstas.

Had Konstas been retained for the Sri Lanka series in January, things might have turned out differently. He could well have made a century to cement his Ashes point.

Konstas’ opening partner Usman Khawaja cashed in with 232 in this match (Australian total 6d-654) and it remains his only score of over 90 in his last 44 Test innings since mid-2023.

Bailey insists Khawaja’s experience is invaluable, but his own position will also come under scrutiny if the veteran gets off to a slow start against England. Two poor Tests and Khawaja could face the same treatment Nathan McSweeney received last summer.

Konstas will return to net on Thursday ahead of NSW’s exciting Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria at the SCG from Monday.

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Two hundred men against an attack led by Scott Boland? It’s unlikely, but stranger things have happened.

In 2019, Kurtis Patterson made 157 and 102 not out appearances for the Cricket Australia XI against the Sri Lankan touring team. He was parachuted into the Test squad two days later and debuted for Australia in Brisbane a week later.

“It’s not going to be linear,” Bailey said of Konstas’ career. “No one’s career transition is linear. The message is to keep it simple and score runs and innings for as long and as usefully as possible for NSW.

“We really like him. The investment has been made. We’re confident he’ll thrive in the long run.”