Konstas’ case is less convincing after a return of just 50 runs from six innings at an average of 8.33, including two ducks.
The 19-year-old is expected to play at least three Sheffield Shield matches for NSW before the first squad is picked ahead of the Ashes opener in Perth on November 21.
“We’re open to all options in terms of the way we’re going to stack that up [opening spot],” McDonald said. “With that comment, it’s probably going to create even more debate as to what’s happening, but we see [Konstas] as a player we use going forward. It’s just a matter of when.
Usman Khawaja struggled in the series.Credit: AP
“I think it was a difficult time for Sam. He’ll take away some information that will accelerate his growth. By him playing Test cricket I think has been a massive positive. I don’t think anyone is damaged by being exposed to Test cricket.
“I think it leaves him where everyone else is in terms of Shield cricket at the start of the season. We’re not going to shy away from the fact that [competition] will be big for certain individuals to go about their work and put scores on the board and look at what we need for England.”
McDonald said Konstas was aware of technical improvements he needed to make. The coach did not elaborate on what those were.
“There’s no doubt he’s got some things to work on, like all our players do,” McDonald said. “He is a highly talented player.”
For the second summer in a row, Australia’s top order remains unsettled. Nathan McSweeney was picked for last year’s Test opener against India but dropped after three matches.
“It feels as though we’ll still be a little bit unsettled in terms of what our combinations look like at the top of the order with the way performances have gone here,” McDonald said. “In saying that, there is a lot of cricket still to come to gather that information. Shield cricket feels like it is going to be the same as the start as last year, where the microscope will be there for certain individuals.
“That game [in Kingston] moved way too fast and at times didn’t even look like cricket. If you can give me a good form line on what that looks like for the first Test in Perth, you’re a better man than I.”
Ponting has also given his verdict on Australia will line up for the Ashes.
“I think the Ashes line-up is going to be like it is right now,” Ponting told The ICC Review. “You keep your fingers crossed and hope that those guys can get the job done at the start.”
“I’m not going to make any really harsh judgement calls on Sam yet because it was hard work for every batter in that series, there’s no doubt about it. [I] think they have to stick with him for a period of time and help him work through these deficiencies that he might have or might not have.”
McDonald also praised Cameron Green’s performance at No.3 and said his bowling loads may be reduced if he retains that role.
Australia’s Cameron Green celebrates scoring a half-century against the West Indies in Grenada. Credit: AP
“Would that look like slightly lower bowling loads across a summer? Potentially,” McDonald said. “That team might look like [Beau] Webster and Green in it, which will be a debate moving forward. Beau Webster is holding his own as a batter only. He’s almost made an art of it in first-class cricket.”
McDonald also explained Nathan Lyon’s omission, which came as a shock to the veteran off-spinner, as Scott Boland was given the nod for a pink ball Test under lights and Australia skittled the West Indies for 27 in the second innings.
“Any time you are delivering that news to a player, it’s a difficult moment,” McDonald said. “I don’t think he would have seen it coming. We got to a position where we had no other way to go in our minds. It made perfect sense and once we explained that to Nathan, [there was] buy in. There was disappointment, but he got straight back into what he needed to do.
