Selectors then made the decision to send him back home in time for New South Wales’ Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland to give him some time out in the middle ahead of a possible berth in the World Test Championship final, where Head will slot back down into the middle order.

Australia cricketer Sam Konstas has left the ongoing Sri Lanka Test tour midway to play the Sheffield Shield for New South Wales. Although he had a promising debut against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Konstas was left out due to his inexperience on spin-friendly Asian pitches.

It then came to light hours before the toss of the coin on Wednesday afternoon that selectors have made the call to hand Josh Inglis his Test debut — at Konstas’ expense. Inglis has been called in to bat in the middle order and it is a decision that Bharat Sundaresan suggested had been the plan all week.

Despite an impressive first two Tests and being replaced at the top of the batting order by Travis Head in the series opener in Galle, the young opener is heading home to play Sheffield Shield cricket for NSW.

Sam Konstas' Sri Lanka tour is officially over with the teenage star returning to Australia to play Sheffield Shield cricket for New South Wales. Despite an impressive first two Tests, Konstas was replaced at the top of the batting order by the more experienced Travis Head in last week's series opener in Galle.