Overview

• Incumbent opener Sam Konstas will face Victoria’s Scott Boland in the Sheffield Shield this week, a match expected to weigh heavily on first-Test selection three weeks out from Perth.
• ESPN reports Boland has dismissed Konstas four times in Shield cricket, underscoring the scrutiny on the 20-year-old as the Ashes squad decision nears.
• Konstas’ recent returns remain inconsistent, with Australia A scores of 109, 27 not out, 49 and three followed by 4 and 14 in NSW’s opener, and a Test average of 16.3 after five matches.
• Former players are publicly split, with David Warner, Brett Lee and Adam Gilchrist backing Konstas to be retained, while Kerry O’Keeffe and Mark Waugh argue he is not ready for England’s pace attack.
• Marnus Labuschagne has pressed his case for a top-order role through strong domestic form and is set to bat at No. 3 for Queensland as selectors assess opening options before November 21.