Sam Konstas was taking in Barbados’ cuisine, beaches, and way of life before to the first Test match against the West Indies. Then reality set in.
As the series proceeds to Grenada, he will continue to be the centre of attention thanks to two innings of three and five, the latter of which was an exceptionally challenging 38-ball stay during which he was twice dismissed by Shamar Joseph’s induckers.
On the one hand, this is extremely difficult for a 19-year-old who is only participating in his third Test match. He had to deal with really challenging circumstances. It was only his eighteenth first-class game. However, despite their difficulties in replacing David Warner, Australia has set themselves and Konstas on this path.
At the moment, it feels more like a millstone than a milestone, but Konstas’ first knock against India at the MCG, which included four plays and misses in the opening over of the contest against Jasprit Bumrah before the pyrotechnics began, helped shift the tone of the series.
During an interview with News Corp prior to the Barbados Test, Konstas revealed an intriguing anecdote: his batting coach, Tahmid Islam, had suggested that he take the highlights of his century against the Indians for the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra, complete with ramps and scoops, from his phone. This effectively turned the match into a one-day match.
Not surprisingly for someone who hasn’t turned 20, Konstas is still trying to figure out what kind of batter he needs and wants to be. At the very least, he needs to get back to the pace that was evident in the back-to-back Sheffield Shield hundreds that first got everyone talking last season and led to comparisons to Ricky Ponting.
The day following Australia’s 159-run triumph, head coach Andrew McDonald told reporters, “When all is said and done, the players are the harshest critics.” “We’ve discussed what experience is and what it would look like if you find yourself in that circumstance once more. It involves taking lessons from the past and attempting to find a solution.
At times, it seemed as though he was trapped, as he alternated between being overly aggressive and underplaying. It’s all about the tempo and balance. It felt like he was stuck at moments and was overly aggressive before [he] underplayed. He has something there, and it’s a step up to Test cricket.” It’s all about the tempo and balance. That is a step up to Test cricket, and he has it there. I believe that his relationship with Usman Khawaja, his very good partner down the other end, will develop over time. We only ask for a little time and tolerance with a young player who is just starting out in Test cricket.
At least for this series, Australia is dedicated to Konstas.
Unless he gets hurt, he will play in the following two games. A significant score would help to settle matters before the Ashes, although a hundred runs wouldn’t be necessary if the pitches remained as spicy as Barbados. Other than that, though, the upcoming summer will probably see another open season.
In an Ashes season, it should come as no surprise that Konstas’ performances have drawn attention in England, and not in a positive way. Naturally, none of that matters because it is all a part of the phoney Ashes war, which runs parallel to both this series and the England vs. India match that got off to such an epic start at Headingley. The following several weeks are crucial for Konstas (and to a lesser extent, Cameron Green) because, from Australia’s point of view, they will be eager to reduce the commotion.
An intriguing query is also raised by the technical difficulties Konstas is having with the incoming supply. Is it something so important that domestic cricket should have worked it out first? It was clear for New South Wales and at last year’s Under-19 World Cup. Then, in the second innings, Bumrah dismissed him in like fashion, giving the MCG a retort.
“I think on that type of surface [in Barbados] it’s an issue for everyone,” McDonald stated. He has been known to concentrate on his technique during the winter, making little tweaks. The way these changes manifest in training as opposed to under intense pressure is always a distinct pattern.
“From a hitting standpoint, I advise all players to learn to play with their shortcomings, even when he is aware of them. There is no such thing as a flawless technique, in my opinion. I believe you’re looking in the wrong place if that’s what you’re after.
“He’ll get better at using what he has. We’re a team that promotes scoring runs. Did he change his mind at any point during the inning? Instead of possibly applying pressure again, was he examining his defensive layers? That, in my opinion, is the true balance he must achieve. I believe he is adequate. He will simply need some time to adjust.
Beau Webster and Konstas, two recent additions to the Australian team who made their Test debuts back-to-back, provide a stark contrast. Despite what Konstas did in his maiden Test innings, the latter, who has years of domestic experience under his belt, has struck three half-centuries in five appearances, including two on extremely difficult wickets and one against a formidable South Africa attack.
“We’re always going to have varying degrees of experience within that order and we like to have a balance of that,” McDonald stated. Beau Webster, who has played a lot of first-class cricket, is in one basket, and you think that’s the best option. Cameron Green and Sam Konstas, who learn on the job, are in the other one.
“I don’t believe we should search for a flawless lead-in to Test cricket because I don’t think there is one. I will agree, however, that Webster is a skilled player. He is solving the current difficulties with tremendous determination and attitude, and he is enjoying the process. He appears technically compromised at times, as we seen at Lord’s. That will be difficult for him, but he can score runs. He has turned it into an art form.
India
