Konstas released from Australia squad to play Sheffield Shield

Teen opener Sam Konstas has been released from Australia's squad ahead of the second test in Sri Lanka and will return home to play for New South Wales in their Sheffield Shield match against Queensland in Brisbane.

Sam Konstas has left Sri Lanka and is bound for the #SheffieldShield, where he's set to play at the Gabba, venue for the second Ashes Test next summer

MORE: https://t.co/UwgPYAYKNE pic.twitter.com/bzVLUMBbYZ

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 4, 2025

Nineteen-year-old Konstas, who scored a swashbuckling 60 on his test debut against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Boxing Day, was dropped from the Australian XI for the series-opener against Sri Lanka in Galle.

Travis Head moved up from the middle order to replace Konstas and scored 57 in Australia's innings and 242-run win.

"Konstas has been released from the Australian squad to play his first match at the Gabba and gain further experience at the venue," a team spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Sam Konstas is heading home from Sri Lanka to represent New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield 😮

What do you think of this move? 🤔#samkonstas #slvsaus pic.twitter.com/NMVXGFcO7n

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) February 5, 2025

The Gabba will host the second Ashes test against England in December.

Head said he expected Konstas would return to the test squad for the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord's in June.

"Most likely I'll go back in the middle order and Sam will open," Head told Australian media in Galle.

Australia will look to sweep Sri Lanka 2-0 with victory in the second test in Galle starting on Thursday.