MITCHELL JOHNSON: Sam Konstas may have learnt more not going to Sri Lanka by playing for NSW at home

Sam Konstas has been sent home from Sri Lanka to play Sheffield Shield cricket.

It makes sense. Especially considering he has never played at the Gabba, where NSW will face Queensland from Saturday, and could be required to open the batting for Australia at the venue against England in the Ashes next summer.

At just 19, Konstas hasn’t played a lot of first-class cricket.

But it begs the question, why was Konstas taken to Galle to run the drinks in the first place? Surely selectors could have made a decision on who they wanted to open the batting before the squad departed.

We often hear new or fringe Test players talk about the value of training and being in the Test environment alongside the best players. The insights gained from senior players can be invaluable and have been a part of cricket for a long time.

So perhaps the trip to Dubai and Galle has been a worthwhile exercise for Konstas. This summer has certainly been an education for him with shield and Australia A cricket, the Big Bash League, playing Twenty20 shots against Jasprit Bumrah on Boxing Day, batting on spinning decks in the nets overseas and now facing the new ball at the Gabba.

It’s always important to bring in new talent while the experience is there to guide them and the first Test in Galle gave another reminder of how vital that balance is.

Spinner Matt Kuhnemann’s appreciation for the cricket nous of stand-in skipper Steve Smith highlights the importance of tactical field placements and decision-making skills, which were further enhanced by Nathan Lyon’s ability to guide the left-armer through strategies during critical moments.

However, Australia’s first Test romp over Sri Lanka - by an innings and 242 runs - served as a stark reminder of the disparity in Test cricket levels.

Despite having experienced players and playing in their own conditions, Sri Lanka struggled against Australia, suggesting deeper issues in their set-up.

I’ve written recently about Test cricket’s existing ‘two-tier’ system, even without it being formalised, and the outcome of the first Test illustrates the complexities of such a model. It raises questions about whether it would genuinely benefit the game or not.

The very real risk is the tier two teams would not get better, Test cricket would become even more financially unviable in those nations due to their fixture and they would then turn their focus to Twenty20 cricket – a format which naturally brings teams closer together.

Australia’s dominance, even with a team some considered not to be at full strength, spoke volumes about their depth and approach. The pitch conditions favoured the Australians after they won the toss, allowing them to bat freely for two days.

The slow nature of the wicket hampered Sri Lanka’s spinners early on, and Australia capitalised superbly, being able to use the crease to get back deep and play the ball much easier.

The Australian spinners had great wearing conditions to use and even Mitchell Starc was able to use the conditions well with the new ball with some up-and-down bounce but also early swing.

A standout moment was witnessing Josh Inglis seize his chance, scoring a stunning debut hundred with his family there to support him. His hard work and dedication to earn the baggy green were evident.

Inglis displayed remarkable composure, showcasing that he is well-acquainted with the Australian set-up. His experience in one-day internationals and T20 cricket allowed him to take on the game confidently, treating it as just another opportunity to shine.

It will be interesting to see how the batting line-up evolves as the Aussies prepare for the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s in June.

Australia’s recent shift in strategy — selecting three spinners, one outright quick, and a back-up medium pacer for the first Test in Sri Lanka, as well as revamping the batting line-up — highlights an increasing focus on choosing players based on specific conditions.

This horses-for-courses approach is becoming a trend, suggesting that both the batting and bowling line-ups will undergo significant changes in the coming months as our Test side goes from Sri Lanka to England to the West Indies and back to Perth for the start of the Ashes in November.