NSW coach backs Sam Konstas to succeed at Test level hours before call-up

NSW coach Greg Shipperd has endorsed Sam Konstas to succeed at Test level, hours before the young opener received a call-up to the Australian squad.

Konstas has reportedly been added to the Test squad in place of Nathan McSweeney, who has been dropped after struggling to score runs in the first three Tests.

Konstas burst onto the scene in the Sheffield Shield this summer, scoring twin tons in his first match before notching 107 opening for the Prime Minister's XI against the current Indian bowling attack, minus Jasprit Bumrah.

His coach at Sheffield Shield level told SEN 1170 Mornings that now is a good time for the 19-year-old to debut.

"I guess, is anyone ever ready?," Shipperd remarked.

"You never know until you're exposed to it and the way he's playing full of confidence, that's a great starting point, and he knows how to score runs so he'll take the game on.

"It could be a win-win situation for Australia... he could go particularly well or even if he doesn't do that, he's got some experience at the highest level which will serve him and the country well over the future, which I suggest would involve Sam Konstas playing a lot of cricket."

Konstas has averaged 42.23 from 18 innings in the Sheffield Shield thus far.

There has been no official announcement from Cricket Australia yet regarding whether Konstas will debut.