Sam Konstas: A talented Australian batter

[FearlessRoar]

Sam Konstas is an Australian cricketer who represents New South Wales and the Australia Under 19s. He is a right-hand bat and a right-arm offbreak bowler.

He made his first-class debut against Tasmania in November 2023. In December 2023, Konstas signed his first professional contract with the Big Bash team Sydney Thunder.

Konstas made a century against the West Indies in the 2024 Under-19 World Cup. He scored his first century in first-class cricket against South Australia on 8 October 2024, with 152 runs off 241 deliveries.

Notably, Konstas made another century in the second innings of the same match, becoming the youngest player to achieve this feat in the Sheffield Shield since Ricky Ponting in 1993.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Age no bar as McDonald eyes uncapped teenager for Australia’s opening spot in Border-Gavaskar series

Australia coach Andrew McDonald is open to including the 19-year-old batter in the playing XI for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series against India.

Andrew McDonald is considering placing Sam Konstas in the vacant opener's position against India if the coaching staff believes he fits into their best XI.

The 19-year-old has made a strong case for the opening position, scoring a century in each innings for New South Wales during the Sheffield Shield opener against South Australia and followed it up with a gritty 43 in the second match against Victoria.

Although Konstas has yet to make his international debut, he has made a remarkable start to his first-class career. Earlier this year, he contributed to Australia’s success in the U19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2024, being a vital member of the winning team.

Steve Smith, who was trialled as an opener in four Tests following David Warner’s retirement, is expected to return to his No. 4 position. This move will leave the opening spot available for Usman Khawaja’s partner at the top of the order.

Discussing the team combinations, McDonald told ABC TV's Offsiders on Sunday, "Any time we're picking a Test team ... we're picking the best team for here and now.

"If that does encompass a younger player, then we'll head down that direction.

"Clearly Sam Konstas on the back of his first Shield match, and the way he went about his work in the second innings at the MCG against Scott Boland has definitely made some noise.

"If they're ready, they're ready in our mind, and if Sam's capable and we feel as though he's capable to fill that spot, I don't think the opponent should come into the equation.

"You've got to start against someone, and you shouldn't be so-called holding back and protecting someone from a potential opponent.''

Age no bar as McDonald eyes uncapped teenager for Australia’s opening spot in Border-Gavaskar series

Australia coach Andrew McDonald is open to including the 19-year-old batter in the playing XI for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series against India.

www.icc-cricket.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

How's Prithvi Shaw going: Australian coach doesn't want Sam Konstas to be rushed​

Renowned Australian batting coach Neil D'Costa is against the idea of rushing young opening batter Sam Konstas into international cricket and feels Cricket Australia (CA) should tread lightly giving India’s Prithvi Shaw’s example. Konstas has been in terrific form in the ongoing Sheffield Shield tournament.

The 19-year-old has scored 302 runs from two matches for New South Wales in the ongoing season so far at an average of 75.50 with two centuries to his name. Konstas’ terrific form has sparked conversations of fast-tracking him into the Australian Test team for the upcoming five-match Test series against India.

However, Neil D’Costa is of the opinion that exposing him early to Test cricket could shorten his career from 100 matches to just ten.

"He could be a good player for 100 Tests. If they put him in now, he might only play 10 Tests. Let him understand the grounds (in Australia), understand the flows (of the game), understand himself and understand the game. If he's good enough, he will get the runs, and he'll be in (the team in) a little bit," D'Costa was quoted as saying by 'Sydney Morning Herald'.

Further speaking ahead, D’Costa called the Idea ‘ridiculous’ giving Prithvi Shaw’s example.

“It's just ridiculous (talk of rushing him in). How's Prithvi Shaw going? I could see his weaknesses before he went in,” he added.

How’s Prithvi Shaw going: Australian coach doesn't want Sam Konstas to be rushed

Renowned Australian coach Neil D'Costa is against the idea of rushing Sam Konstas into Australian Test team using Prithvi Shaw's example.

www.indiatoday.in

 

[Bewal Express]

How's Prithvi Shaw going: Australian coach doesn't want Sam Konstas to be rushed​

Renowned Australian batting coach Neil D'Costa is against the idea of rushing young opening batter Sam Konstas into international cricket and feels Cricket Australia (CA) should tread lightly giving India’s Prithvi Shaw’s example. Konstas has been in terrific form in the ongoing Sheffield Shield tournament.

The 19-year-old has scored 302 runs from two matches for New South Wales in the ongoing season so far at an average of 75.50 with two centuries to his name. Konstas’ terrific form has sparked conversations of fast-tracking him into the Australian Test team for the upcoming five-match Test series against India.

However, Neil D’Costa is of the opinion that exposing him early to Test cricket could shorten his career from 100 matches to just ten.

"He could be a good player for 100 Tests. If they put him in now, he might only play 10 Tests. Let him understand the grounds (in Australia), understand the flows (of the game), understand himself and understand the game. If he's good enough, he will get the runs, and he'll be in (the team in) a little bit," D'Costa was quoted as saying by 'Sydney Morning Herald'.

Further speaking ahead, D’Costa called the Idea ‘ridiculous’ giving Prithvi Shaw’s example.

“It's just ridiculous (talk of rushing him in). How's Prithvi Shaw going? I could see his weaknesses before he went in,” he added.

How’s Prithvi Shaw going: Australian coach doesn't want Sam Konstas to be rushed

Renowned Australian coach Neil D'Costa is against the idea of rushing Sam Konstas into Australian Test team using Prithvi Shaw's example.

www.indiatoday.in

Is he that good?

 

[Farabi]

"He could be a good player for 100 Tests. If they put him in now, he might only play 10 Tests. Let him understand the grounds (in Australia), understand the flows (of the game), understand himself and understand the game. If he's good enough, he will get the runs, and he'll be in (the team in) a little bit," D'Costa was quoted as saying by 'Sydney Morning Herald'.


Sounds like the stuff that happens in Pakistan all the time! Doubt Aus will take this punt..