Mark Taylor called on the Australian management to use Sam Konstas to open the batting in the upcoming tour of the West Indies. At 19, the player who performed significantly in his first Test series, where he faced India, had to see Australia lose to South Africa in the World Test Championship (WTC) final from the sidelines this week. The Baggy Greens have opted to start with Marnus Labuschagne and have Cameron Green play No. 3.

Taylor expressed that Australia have not yet replaced David Warner, who last played for Australia in January 2024 when he retired from Test cricket. With Steve Smith dislocating his little finger in the WTC final, a comeback for Konstas appears on the horizon.

Here is what said Taylor on Nine's Wide World of Sports show on Sunday

"David Warner retired nearly two years ago now and we haven't really found a replacement for him. Although, they really haven't tried that hard either, to be totally honest with you. Travis Head moved up the order (in Sri Lanka), Konstas was left out having debuted at Melbourne with that swashbuckling 60 that he made," 

"I think going to the West Indies, we've got to bring Konstas back in and I think he will play in a more orthodox fashion. He should be given an opportunity and the fact that Steve Smith won't play in that series makes it a little bit easier for the selectors," 

Australia are set to tour the Caribbean for a series featuring three Test matches and five T20Is against the West Indies. The opening Test will be held at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, from June 25 to 29. The West Indies last took to the field in a Test match when they drew a two-match series in Pakistan with Shan Masood's side 1-1 in January.

Australia's hope of retaining their World Test Championship title went up in flames at Lord's, as South Africa perennially seen as underdogs recorded a remarkable five-wicket victory. Having set a competitive total of 282 and picking up an early wicket, the Aussies were unable to seize the day as Aiden Markram's brilliant 136 turned the match on its head.

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Australia started on a good note when Ryan Rickelton got out cheaply, but a solid 61-run partnership between Markram and Wiaan Mulder put a dent in their momentum. Though Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins attacked with heart, there was no penetration in the Aussie attack on a flat Day 4 surface. Even after Mulder got out, Markram remained calm, rotated strike and punished anything loose.

Australia's fielding also failed them, particularly a dropped catch of at a key moment. Markram, being calm under pressure, took the chase deep. The defeat is a huge blow to Australia, who went into the final as obvious favourites but were overwhelmed by a South African team playing with heart, hunger, and belief. For a side that boasts of winning big moments, this meltdown will hurt for years to come.