Whatever the event and the opposition, Sam Konstas will nonetheless be “see ball, hit ball” within the cauldron of the Boxing Day Check.
The 19-year-old is poised to make his Check debut for Australia in 40-degree circumstances on Wednesday, probably opening the batting in opposition to India nice Jasprit Bumrah and the remainder of their vaunted assault.
However NSW teammate and fellow Australian squad member Sean Abbott mentioned all that will not hassle {the teenager} one bit.
“What I’ll say is that if he will get the possibility to play, flip the stump mics up when he’s in at brief leg, as a result of he has some good banter,” Abbott mentioned earlier than Monday coaching on the MCG.
“He’s a humorous younger child and I’m trying ahead to seeing how he goes about it if he will get the chance.
“What he’s been in a position to obtain to date in Protect cricket, in such a brief area of time, and the best way he approaches the sport, it doesn’t hassle him who he’s developing in opposition to.
“From what I’ve seen to date, it’s most likely his most admirable attribute.”
Abbott mentioned regardless of the opponent, Konstas was ready to again himself – as proven by his feedback whereas fielding in shut.
“Simply moving into blokes about being scared – as I’d have been as nicely if Starcy (Mitch Starc) was bowling quick thunderbolts, fairly brief,” Abbott mentioned.
Sam Konstas of Australia speaks to the media forward of an Australia Males’s Check Squad coaching session at Melbourne Cricket Floor on December 23, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photograph by Josh Chadwick/Getty Pictures)
“It wouldn’t matter if it’s Rohit (Sharma) or me batting there, he’s be precisely the identical – we’ll be in for some leisure.”
Konstas is near Shane Watson, whose spouse Lee manages him, and is being in comparison with the previous Australia star.
The teenager mentioned the recommendation from Watson forward of his potential Check debut had been uncomplicated.
“Simply one other day at it, again myself and be fearless,” Konstas mentioned.
“I love Shane Watson lots. I wish to take the sport on and put stress on the bowlers.
“He’s a legend of the sport and hopefully I can do this this week on my debut. I don’t do an excessive amount of on social media, however I’ll take it as a praise.
“It’s fairly easy – simply again myself and simply ‘see ball, hit ball’ actually.”
Whereas Konstas has the impetuosity of youth, he’s nicely conscious of how huge a Check debut this week could be for him.
Sam Konstas (Photograph by Mark Nolan/Getty Pictures)
“For me, what a tremendous alternative at my age – Pat Cummins and the group have welcomed me in, so I really feel like (it’s) a household and it’s been superior, a dream come true,” he mentioned.
“Hopefully I get to characterize my nation.”
The Watsons and Konstas’ dad and mom will probably be on the MCG on Thursday, with {the teenager} to be taught over the subsequent two days whether or not he will probably be within the XI.
Konstas has been one of many tales of this summer season along with his speedy rise and he’s making ready as if he’ll play on Boxing Day.
“It’s an enormous honour, as a child I’ve all the time dreamed of it. I’m making an attempt to maintain it so simple as doable, get my prep proper and see what occurs,” he mentioned.
“It’s occurred actually fast … I wasn’t too fazed. However I really feel like I’m a reasonably relaxed individual and I’m simply making an attempt to reside within the second.”
The final time Konstas performed on the MCG, he made three and 73no for Australia A final month in opposition to India A.
Nathan McSweeney and Marcus Harris have been the opposite gamers in that recreation vying for nationwide choice. McSweeney bought the nod, however was dropped for this Check.
“It was an awesome studying, the primary time dealing with a number of of these bowlers and perhaps that very same atmosphere – calling it a ‘bat-off’, I assume,” he mentioned.
“It was an awesome alternative, first time representing Australia A, studying totally different circumstances, dealing with the bowlers.”
