Patient Aussies back teen opener to learn key lesson

Australia coach Andrew McDonald is preaching patience when it comes to Sam Konstas, confident the teenager will learn from his humbling return in Barbados.

Konstas was recalled for the first match on Australia’s three-Test tour of the West Indies, which the visitors won by 159 runs on day three.

The 19-year-old opener logged scores of three and five in tricky conditions, with ball dominating bat throughout the match.

His second innings spanned almost an hour but was devoid of fluency and full of frustration, with speed demon Shamar Joseph creating two chances before Konstas had scored.

McDonald is preparing to rejig Australia’s top four yet again.

Steve Smith is set to prove he is ready to return from a finger injury in Grenada, where the series resumes on Friday morning (AEST).

Josh Inglis appears the batter most likely to make way for Smith, who is set to link up with the squad after a stint in New York.

But Konstas, who set the bar extremely high with a breathtaking Test debut on Boxing Day, is set to be given a lengthy opportunity to nail down his spot at the top of the order.

“We’ve had some conversations around, ‘potentially if you’re in that situation again, what does that look like?’ and that’s what experience is,” McDonald told reporters in Barbados.

“It’s learning from previous events and trying to implement a way through that. It felt like he was stuck at times and he was over-aggressive and then (he) underplayed.

“It’s really that balance and tempo ... that’s a step up to Test cricket.

“He’s got a really good partner down the other end (Usman Khawaja). That, over time, I think, will play out. That’s all we ask for - a bit of patience and time with a young player coming into Test cricket.”

Australia have a chance to wrap up a series win in the second Test but the bigger picture at play with their Konstas conundrum is this summer’s home Ashes.

The right-hander’s technique has been a near-constant topic of debate since he burst onto the scene against India then was axed for Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka.

“He knows his deficiencies,” McDonald said.

“But, from a batting perspective, I encourage all players to learn to play with their deficiencies. I don’t think there’s such a thing as a perfect technique.

“If that’s what you’re looking for then I think you’re looking in the wrong place.”

McDonald confirmed Smith, who suffered his injury while dropping a catch at Lord’s in the World Test Championship final, was on track to bolster Australia’s batting order.

“There’ll be no risk to long-term health of that finger. He’ll return and I think it’s likely he’ll play,” McDonald said.