Konstas craving: Rookie star keen to face Bumrah after ...
Test hopeful Sam Konstas would love the opportunity to test his game against Indian superstar Jasprit Bumrah after cracking a career-defining century in Canberra, but is happy biding his time for now.
Konstas scored his third hundred of the summer in a Prime Minister’s XI fixture against a touring Indian attack that featured four of the five bowlers used in Australia’s heavy opening Test defeat in Perth.
The 19-year-old kept a close eye on the drama unfolding in Perth as Australia’s top order capitulated against Bumrah, who snared eight wickets for the match.
In his first interview in almost two months, Konstas was humble about his latest innings in Canberra but admitted he is keen to experience the challenge of facing Bumrah.
“I was watching quite a bit,” Konstas said. “Bumrah is a skilful player, obviously, and probably the best in the world. Hopefully, one day I can face him and see how we go.
“I feel confident [in my game]. I’ve been training really hard and it’s a great opportunity to play against the best players.”
Sam Konstas raises the bat in Canberra. Credit: Getty Images
As Australia’s top four of Nathan McSweeney, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith look to find form in Adelaide, Konstas will take the field for NSW in a Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia, also starting on Friday.
Konstas was touted as a Test bolter earlier this year when he made back-to-back centuries against South Australia but was ultimately overlooked for McSweeney after the pair played together in two Australia A matches. Several astute judges believe Konstas, who is a specialist opener unlike McSweeney, has what it takes to succeed at the next level.
If there are more failures in Adelaide, Konstas could come back into contention for the Brisbane Test starting December 14.
Asked whether his latest century was a message to selectors, given Australia’s top-order woes, Konstas played a straight bat.
Sam Konstas is presented with the man of the match award by federal member for Canberra, Alicia Payne MP.Credit: Getty Images
“I feel like I’m in a good headspace. Whatever happens, happens really,” Konstas said. “Hopefully, I can keep scoring runs and maybe one day I can represent my country.
“It’s a huge honour representing my country and to get a few runs on the board and help the team was very satisfying.
“I think it’s been good learning from the likes of Steve Smith, Scott Boland and even Jack Edwards in our [NSW] team. Learning from the bigger guys and trying to make my game a bit better and trying to reach our next level [has been the goal].”
The match in Canberra over the weekend was reduced to a one-day fixture, with both sides given 46 overs to bat. India implemented conservative field placements - similar to what they’ll employ in Adelaide - but that didn’t stop Konstas and his teammates playing their shots, with the youngster hitting 14 fours and a memorable six.
Sam Konstas celebrates his century in Canberra.Credit: Getty Images
Konstas said his two remarkable reverse ramp shots, which both went for boundaries, had been discussed with the team’s coach Tim Paine.
“I’ve been practising it a little bit with Tim Paine, but yeah, good to get a few away,” Konstas said. “Tim just told us to have good intent and put pressure on them and treat it like a 46-over game. So I was just trying to keep things simple and just trying to stick to my plans.”
India’s attack in Canberra was Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja.
Between them, they have taken 445 Test wickets, with Jadeja accounting for 71.7 per cent of the combined tally.
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Asked what he learned batting on Sunday against the highest-quality bowling attack of his young career, Konstas replied: “I think just the tactics [and] understanding how they’re trying to get me out. I didn’t face some of these bowlers [in the Australia A matches], so it was good exposure facing the best bowlers in the world.”
Konstas and Rana were involved in a minor verbal altercation on the field after a couple of productive overs from the New South Welshman got under the Indian’s skin. The word out of the Blues camp is that Konstas isn’t the kind of kid who will back down.
“I can’t remember what happened but whatever happens on the field, stays on the field,” Konstas said, with a grin. “It’s always a good contest with India. They’re always passionate, so I love being in the contest.”
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