Sam Konstas is fully aware that he will face a massive run of Sheffield Shield matches early in the season if he wishes to retain his Test place for the start of the Ashes but he is also focussed on shutting out much of the talk and trusting his inner circle. Sam Konstas endured a torrid series against West Indies where he made 50 runs in six innings albeit in challenging conditions where the top orders of both teams found it tough. They were his first Tests since bursting into the side against India last season, but he is now back in the pack as far as selectors go to face England in November.
Konstas has resumed training with New South Wales having taken a break after the tour and will return to playing on the four-day leg of the Australia A tour of India next month. That trip also has a longer lens from the selectors as Australia have a five-Test tour in early 2027. While runs won’t hurt Konstas’ shorter-term ambitions, of most relevance will be what he’s able to do in the early rounds of the Shield in October.
Sam Konstas gives his views on the roadmap ahead for him.Â
Speaking to reporters, Konstas said: “It’s massive, it’s going to be a big four games and I expect that. But for me, it’s about just being in the present moment, don’t get too fixated about the outcome and just be very process-driven in those games. Not getting too fazed about what other people say, and obviously have the inner circle that I trust.”
He added: “For me it’s just trying to best prepare, and then obviously trusting what I think is right in that current moment. It was my first time playing in the West Indies, and first time facing those bowlers. They bowled well and hopefully I can build from that experience. Adopting the right mindset, training hard, not leaving any regrets. For me, that’s the big thing, just the way I prepare, and especially with the people that I trust, having honest conversations with them when necessary and leaving it to that.”
Jack Edwards spoke about training and being with Sam Konstas.Â
Jack Edwards, the New South Wales captain who will also be a part of the Australia A tour, has been training alongside Konstas in recent weeks. He told ESPN Cricinfo: “He definitely doesn’t hold onto it for too long. It’s great to have him around. He’s working extremely hard at his game as he always does, hitting a mountain of balls… such a young man, he’s definitely going to have a long career for Australia.”
Sam Konstas spoke about the learnings from Steven Smith and David Warner that he is doing.Â
Sam Konstas spoke of leaning on Steven Smith and David Warner who is co-incidentally his captain at Thunder for advice. He said: “I’m very lucky to be working with the best in the world.”
Konstas was picked for Australia after just 11 first-class matches and it has been acknowledged by the coaching staff that Konstas has been doing a lot of his developing at the top level although there is a belief in the set-up that the setbacks in the West Indies won’t do long-term harm.
Konstas said: “I’m still learning about my game and finding what works in different conditions. Understanding the situations, when to soak up pressure and when to attack the game.”Â
This is an area where David Warner has been a valuable sounding board for him. Konstas said: “I just like his mindset, to be honest. He takes the game on and he’s very aggressive. He’s always trying to dictate terms in the way he likes to.”Â
Sam Konstas is still 19 and will turn 20 in early October. But Konstas is trying to keep a level head. He concluded saying: “As an athlete, you’re going to go through successes, but I tell you, build from those failures and become a better person and cricketer.”
It remains to be seen how Sam Konstas performs in the Shield games and whether he retains his place on November 21 where the first Ashes Test gets underway at Optus Stadium in Perth.
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