Australia’s teenage batting prodigy Sam Konstas has admitted that the emotions of making his Test debut against India at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground got the better of him as he prepares for a second shot at the big stage in the upcoming West Indies series. Sam Konstas, now 19, has been recalled to the Australian side for the first Test against West Indies in Bridgetown on June 25. He is set to open the innings alongside veteran Usman Khawaja after Marnus Labuschagne was dropped and Steve Smith ruled out with a dislocated finger.
Sam Konstas missed out on a spot in the World Test Championship final against South Africa by a whisker after selectors opted to promote Marnus Labuschagne at the top. Sam Konstas emerged as an impressive opening outlet for Australia in turning the tide against India in their recent series win.
While the 19-year-old Sam Konstas made an instant impact in whites for Australia, ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting believes the young batter has a long way to go if he is to cement his status as a Test opener.
Sam Konstas scored a stunning 60 off 65 deliveries in his first Test innings for Australia, a knock laced with exquisite strokeplay such as a reverse lap for six off Jasprit Bumrah. He was added to the squad in place of Nathan McSweeney, who was only able to score 72 runs in the first three Tests. Both Sam Konstas and McSweeney was included in Australia’s squad for the two-Test series in Sri Lanka.
It is expected that Sam Konstas, who is favoured to open although the batting order has yet to be confirmed, will have all three Tests against West Indies to try and bed himself into the side ahead of the Ashes later this year after a period where Australia have had a revolving door of openers since David Warner’s retirement. However in the first test match even though Australia won the match their new look Top order in the form of Sam Konstas , Josh Inglis and Cameron Green failed miserably.
Sam Konstas failure in Australia’s win vs WI raises questions
Sam Konstas couldn’t settle into a balanced rhythm while batting against West Indies in the recently-concluded first Test of the ongoing three-match series. Sam Konstas could only manage a meagre eight runs off 52 deliveries across both innings in his side’s 159-run win against the hosts. In the Test match against the Caribbean team, Sam Konstas registered the scores of three runs in 14 balls and five runs off 38 deliveries in both innings of the game.
After being bowled out for 180 runs, Australia bounced back by cleaning up the West Indies for 190 runs. In Australia’s second innings, the ‘Baggy Greens’ registered a score of 310 runs and later restricted the Caribbean to 141 runs. With this, the Pat Cummins-led side registered a victory by 159 runs in Barbados. Travis Head was named as the ‘Player of the Match’ for his knock of 59 and 61 runs, respectively in both innings.
It was a collective top-order failure from Australia in the series opener. The top four did not contribute much during the entirety of the match barring Khawaja’s 47 in the first innings. Travis Head secured the Player of the Match award for his half-centuries (59 and 61) in both innings. However Australian head coach Andrew McDonald has backed the new look Australian top order including Sam Konstas to come good in upcoming tests by learning from the mistakes he did in the previous match.
Sam Konstas knows his defeciensies- Andrew McDonald
Australia coach Andrew McDonald has called for patience as the Test team works through a top-order transition, backing young players to grow into their roles despite a mixed outing in the first Test against West Indies.
With senior batter Steve Smith missing the Barbados Test due to injury, Australia fielded a new-look top four that included Sam Konstas as opener, Cameron Green at No.3 and Josh Inglis at No.4. All three batters failed to get big scores on what was admittedly a tough pitch, but McDonald believes there were signs of progress, especially in how they handled their second innings.
“When you start your career, it takes you a while to get to the level and it requires patience on all levels, that comes from coaching and external and internal,” McDonald said.
“These guys are on a journey. They’re starting it out and some people get there faster than others…”
With Australia having registered a win in the first Test of the ongoing series against the West Indies, there were many topics to discuss for the side in the clash, with one of the most discussed points being the performance of youngster Sam Konstas.
The clash against the West Indies was Konstas’ third Test match, and the batter failed to put in a good showing, scoring three and five runs across the two innings. With many questions being raised on his performances, Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald took centre stage and backed Konstas to improve.
“He knows his deficiencies. But, from a batting perspective, I encourage all players to learn to play with their deficiencies. I don’t think there’s such a thing as a perfect technique. If that’s what you’re looking for, then I think you’re looking in the wrong place,” McDonald was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
Australia’s head coach, Andrew McDonald, feels that teenager Sam Konstas needs time after his underwhelming show at the Kensington Oval in the opening Test match against the West Indies.
“It’s learning from previous events and trying to implement a way through that. It felt like he was stuck at times, and he was over-aggressive and then (he) underplayed. It’s really that balance and tempo … that’s a step up to Test cricket. He’s got a really good partner down the other end (Usman Khawaja). That, over time, I think, will play out. That’s all we ask for – a bit of patience and time with a young player coming into Test cricket,” he added.
Sam Konstas, who has his Test cap number—468—tattooed on his forearm, is now eager to cement his place in Australia’s top order. Since David Warner’s retirement 18 months ago, Australia have tried five different openers in search of a stable partner for Khawaja. With an Ashes tour on the horizon later this year, the West Indies series could serve as a defining stretch in Sam Konstas’s young career. After the first Test in Bridgetown, the series will move to Grenada for the second Test from July 3 and then to Jamaica for the third Test from July 12.
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