Former Test quick Brett Lee has declared Australia “may not appreciate” until after the next two summers just how valuable David Warner was, before backing NSW teen phenom Sam Konstas as his replacement at the top of the order for the series against India.
The task to find Warner’s successor and Usman Khawaja‘s opening partner grew more difficult as every man considered a contender — Konstas, Marcus Harris, Matthew Renshaw, Cameron Bancroft and Henry Hunt — failed in the Sheffield Shield on Monday.
Konstas had carved out twin centuries in the opening round of the Sheffield Shield, but the 19-year-old was on Monday dismissed lbw for 2 at the MCG, in what looked a harsh decision from the umpire.
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Australia is searching for Warner’s replacement after it was confirmed that Steve Smith would shift back down to number four following a brief experiment at the top of the order.
“Firstly, Australia, not just the team but I think the public, may not appreciate it now, but I think in 12-18 months, just how good David Warner was,” Lee told The Follow On podcast a month out from the first Test of the summer, taking place in Perth.
“I think if they were to go back to Cameron Bancroft, it would have been a year and a half or two years ago when he had most runs in Shield cricket.
“They still may pick him and they may pick Harris. But do you invest your energy and assets into guys who are ageing cricketers, with all due respect? Albeit wonderful cricketers, don’t get me wrong.
“But if we’re looking to the future, why not give a guy an opportunity like a Sam Konstas who is only 19 years of age, only played a few first-class matches?”
Monday’s Shield action saw Harris follow up his first-innings 26 with a second-innings 16, while Bancroft was dismissed for 8.
Renshaw lost his wicket for 2 and South Australia’s Hunt fell for a duck, although Hunt had compiled 136 in the first innings of his side’s clash with Queensland.
Konstas is only playing his second season of Shield cricket, but Lee doesn’t believe his inexperience should count against him.
“There are some players, like David Warner, the way he came through the ranks — he started off in T20 cricket and then turned out to be one of Australia’s greatest-ever Test match cricketers,” Lee said.
“Glenn McGrath played only a few first-class matches before he debuted for Australia.
“There are players that the higher the level they go, the better the cricketers they are.
“I see Sam Konstas’ technique, I think he has a really good technique. I don’t think it would be a bad call if they went down that road.”