Sam Konstas built for this stage: Watson praises Australia opener’s show

Sam Konstas’ explosive batting debut in Melbourne did not surprise his mentor, Shane Watson; However, the 19-year-old’s showmanship during the Boxing Day test took the former Australian all-rounder by surprise. Konstas stunned the Indian bowlers led by Jasprit Bumrah with his impressive strokeplay, showcasing ramps, reverse blades, pulls and powerful drives through the sheets. The young teenage opener even attacked Bumrah, arguably the best bowler of his generation.

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Konstas scored 14 runs in one of Bumrah’s overs and followed it up with an 18-run assault, two of Bumrah’s three most expensive overs in Test cricket. Konstas finally finished with a score of 60 off 65 balls, studded with six fours and two sixes. “I understood what their game plan was – what plan A was anyway. So when plan B kicked in quite quickly, in a couple of overs, it was a bit surprising. But one thing we’ve always been aware of spoken is to trust your instinct,” Watson said during the ICC Champions Trophy tour at the SCG, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.

Reflecting on his experience mentoring Konstas, Watson added: “My experience working with Sam has shown me to be a very quiet and reserved personality, a deep thinker and certainly not an extrovert. But what we saw in the Test match is that he is a showman, who rises to the occasion without being intimidated.

“I know from my own debut experience that you put a lot of pressure on yourself because your dream is to represent your country and wear the baggy green. But for Sam, it’s almost superhuman how he didn’t seem affected by that pressure.

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“You could see it wasn’t an act, that’s just who he is. And honestly, I hadn’t seen that side of him before. It just goes to show that he’s made for the big stage, where most players take time to adapt. “Sam loves it.”

However, Konstas faced the harsh reality of Test cricket in the second innings, and Bumrah dismissed him for just 8 runs with a magnificent inswinger. Watson remains confident in Konstas’ abilities and highlights his technical strength and adaptability as key to success in red-ball cricket.

“Now, it will be a different challenge for him. He has shown what his plan B is, and we already saw in that second innings that the positions on the field were adjusted accordingly. This will be a good test of his evolution: how he can continue to cope. the game against the best bowlers in the world, but he certainly has all the equipment and skills to make those adjustments quickly.

“He is technically very correct and waits for loose balls. But he also has the ability to hit the ball on the ground. Of course, when the field is prepared with a good third man and a good leg, the ramp shot can go out of bounds. game. On the other hand, I didn’t think he would play the ramp shot in the first few overs, and he did! Sam will trust his instincts, and that’s something really special that sets him apart.”