Australia defeated the West Indies in all three Tests of the series, which ended last week. But the Australian top-order performance was not impressive. 19-year-old Sam Konstas was tested as an opener, replacing Marnus Labuschagne, who had struggled in that role during last month’s World Test Championship (WTC) final. But the boy could muster only 50 runs in the six innings at a dismal average of 8.33. Australian head coach Andrew McDonald, though, stood up for the right-hand batter, pointing out that the weather conditions in the Caribbean were extremely bowler-friendly and batters didn't stand much of a chance, particularly against the pink Dukes ball in the third Test, in which the West Indies got bowled out for the second-lowest total (27) in a Test match. McDonald said Konstas' hard-nosed style of batting in Test cricket is yet to take full shape and that the difficult conditions did not favor his cause. Here is what McDonald said: "I don't think anyone's damaged by being exposed to Test cricket. It gives you a taste of what that level is like and he's clear on what he needs to work on," "When you've got up-and-down seaming wickets, it can force you into those corners a lot quicker than surfaces that are batter-friendly," Also Read | Who Introduced the Bowler's Salute After a Five-Wicket Haul in Cricket? Andrew McDonald Hints at Labuschagne’s Return Labuschagne was forced to sit out all the three Test matches after experiencing a long lean spell in Test cricket. But McDonald added that he would not have to wait much longer before making his comeback to the playing XI. Labuschagne will also not have to open bat for Queensland in domestic cricket if he is to be included in a national team slot of the same, the former Australian all-rounder added. "He averages 46 in Test match cricket. We feel as though this wasn't going to be a huge gap before he does return because of the quality. Marnus has got great clarity leaving this tour, which is a success in itself. We look forward to what he does in the early Shield rounds," McDonald said. McDonald also assured that Mitchell Starc would receive a breather during the white-ball matches against South Africa next month, just like Pat Cummins.