Sam Konstas, who has taken his first steps on the international circuit, does not intend to limit himself to the red-ball format.
After being passed over for two Tests against Sri Lanka on the subcontinent, Australia’s batting prodigy Sam Konstas has set himself the long-term objective of being an all-format player. Konstas, 19, is still learning about the obstacles, successes, and sufferings that international cricket players face. The teenage opener got his first baggy green in front of a sell-out crowd at the MCG on Boxing Day against India. Konstas made a solid case for himself as the next big thing by scoring a swashbuckling 60(65) in the first innings.
After completing his first step in the international circuit, Konstas isn’t aiming to limit himself to the red-ball format. He wants to pursue white-ball cricket and develop as an all-format player for Australia.
“One day, I hope to challenge myself and become an all-format player. Travis Head is a gaming legend; his approach is simple, and he takes on the bowlers. “I’m very fortunate at my age to be able to learn from these guys, and hopefully, I can build on that,” Konstas said, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.When Konstas, a 31-year-old pace spearhead, performed a flawless ramp shot to smoke the ball past the boundary line off Jasprit Bumrah in his first Test appearance for Australia, the world of cricket came to a halt. It took the 31-year-old a moment to realize that he had given up the first six in the Test format after more than 4,000 days. Konstas continued to display a wide variety of shots from his arsenal during the final Test in Sydney, which was sufficient to persuade the selectors to send him to Sri Lanka.After considering all factors, Travis Head was promoted from middle to top, resulting in an emphatic win for Australia by an innings and 242 runs in the series opener. Konstas was sent home before the second Test, but the opportunity to watch and work with Head and Steve Smith helped him improve his game significantly.
“I don’t think I’m particularly good at sweeps or reverse sweeps, but that’s something I’ll work on when I get back to Sydney. Uzzy and Marnus excel at it, while Steve and Travis approach it differently. So, understand your strengths and try to stick with them for as long as possible,” he said.
It is yet to be seen if Konstas will be in talks for Australia’s World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa on June 11 at the iconic Lord’s.
After the final, Australia will shift its focus to the next WTC cycle, which will begin with a tour of the West Indies. Once the series concludes, the hype around the Ashes will start to build up.”I don’t think I’m very good at sweeps or reverse sweeps, but that’s something I’ll work on when I get back to Sydney.” Uzzy and Marnus excel at it, but Steve and Travis take a different approach. So, understand your strengths and try to stick with them as long as possible,” he said.
It is yet to be seen if Konstas will be in talks for Australia’s World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa on June 11 at the iconic Lord’s.
After the final, Australia will shift its focus to the next WTC cycle, which will begin with a tour of the West Indies. Once the series concludes, the hype around the Ashes will start to build up.Konstas is hoping for a chance to participate in the renowned rivalry. He used to imitate English pace bowling greats Stuart Broad and James Anderson.
“I recall playing the backyard Ashes series with my brothers as children, imitating some of the England bowlers. Jimmy Anderson and a couple of occasions Stuart Broad. He remarked, “I hope I get that chance to play over there.””We had a series in England in the under-19s, so we were there for a month, and it was different conditions, swinging with the Dukes ball, so it’s invaluable to have that experience. Hopefully, a county team can pick me up,” he told reporters.
