Teenage Australian opener Sam Konstas' Ashes place is in jeopardy after scoring just 50 runs in six innings during the recently concluded Test tour of the West Indies.
Following his record-breaking 65-ball 60 on debut at the age of 19 years and 85 days in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Konstas’ career hasn’t taken off as expected.
The West Indies tour was Konstas’ second series of his career. Australia prioritised experience for the Sri Lanka series – with Travis Head opening alongside Usman Khawaja – and the subsequent World Test Championship final (where Marnus Labuschagne opened).
However, the rookie Australian opener couldn’t fulfil his early promise in the three-match series, registering four single-digit scores – including two ducks – with a highest score of just 25. Despite Australia clinching a 3-0 series whitewash, highlighted by Mitchell Starc’s record five-wicket haul (in just 15 balls) that skittled West Indies for 27 in Kingston, Konstas endured a personally disappointing outing. His career average has now dipped to 16.3 after five Tests.
West Indies were bowled out for the second-lowest total in Test history 😱#WIvAUS #Cricket pic.twitter.com/ukW3qR0o4X
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) July 15, 2025
Lowest average by an Australia opener in a series (minimum 3 Tests)
Konstas' average of 8.33 is the joint-seventh-lowest ever for an Australian opener in a series of three or more Tests. Keith Stackpole averaged the same during Australia's 1973/74 tour of New Zealand.
Konstas' average is the lowest in a Test series by an Australian opener in 41 years, since Steve Smith (not the current star) averaged 8.2 in the 1983/84 Frank Worrell Trophy. The overall unwanted record belongs to Alec Bannerman, who averaged just 3.16 in the 1888 Ashes. Bannerman appears again on the list (fourth) for his 7.66 average in the 1884/85 Ashes.
On the list of lowest averages by an Australian opener in an away series against the West Indies, Konstas ranks sixth-worst.
Lowest average by an Australia opener in a series in West Indies
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