'I've come a long way': Sam Konstas in the Caribbean on cusp of return to Australian side

Sam Konstas says he's "come a long way" since his whirlwind pair of Tests against India as he prepares for his return to the Australian side in the Caribbean.

The 19-year-old, whose place in the side for the first match against the West Indies was confirmed this week, also admits he "still can't believe" he was pulling off ramp shots against Indian pace ace Jasprit Bumrah on morning one of the Boxing Day Test.

Chairman of selectors George Bailey confirmed this week Konstas and Josh Inglis would replace the dropped Marnus Labuschagne and the injured Steve Smith in the Bridgetown Test, starting on Wednesday.

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Konstas, who is likely to join Usman Khawaja at the top of the order, is back in the side after being overlooked for two Tests in Sri Lanka and the World Test Championship final.

"I've been training really hard and I understand the reasons why they picked [others instead for recent matches]," Konstas said in Bridgetown.

"I'm just trying to be in the present moment, trying to focus on a few key areas with my batting coach, and [I] feel like I've come a long way. Hopefully I can display that in the next few Test matches."

Konstas admitted he'd re-watched his flashy MCG innings, in which he struck 60 from 65 balls, "quite a bit".

"Some of my mates still send it to me," he laughed.

"I still can't believe it. I don't know what was going through my mind at that time.

"I thought it was the right time in the moment, and it was good fun."

His brash approach was on show when he gave Virat Kohli a cheeky send-off on day two of the MCG Test, and again during his heated exchange with Bumrah on day one of the SCG Test.

"The emotions probably got to me with the crowd," Konstas said.

"It was good reflecting and having a bit of time off, trying to strengthen my game up."

While the millions of people who caught a glimpse of Konstas in the Melbourne and Sydney Tests saw little more than daring T20-style shots, the young gun from Sydney's south typically plays with a level head and a traditional technique.

He was asked in Bridgetown if people would see the more measured side of his game in the Caribbean.

"I feel like I trust people that I work with and they understand my game," he replied.

"I'm not trying to prove to anyone how I'm going to play. I just want to be myself and obviously understand when to take on the game and soak up the pressure and win games for Australia."

Australia is set to play Test cricket in the West Indies for the first time since 2015, when Smith and Adam Voges both scored an abundant amount of runs in a 2-0 series win.

The match at Kensington Oval will be Konstas' first Test away from Australia.

"It's a dream come true, to be honest," he said.

"[To be] 19 years old, playing for your country, travelling the world, getting to experience different cultures and [play against] the best players as well … I'm lucky to be where I am."