Sam Konstas ignores Ricky Ponting warning as ugly moment increases heat on cricket prodigy

Yahoo

18-02-2025

Sam Konstas' ugly dismissal in the Sheffield Shield on Tuesday came after Ricky Ponting questioned whether the 19-year-old will have much of a future in Test cricket playing the way he does. Konstas made a whirlwind 10 in NSW's clash with Victoria before eventually being bowled by Scott Boland while attempting a slog-sweep.
Just like we saw in the Boxing Day Test against Jasprit Bumrah, Konstas reverse-ramped Boland on just the second ball of the match. He then danced down the pitch and drove the next ball for four, but his innings only lasted seven balls before he had his stumps rearranged.
His dismissal was particularly ugly, stepping across to the off-side and trying to whack Boland behind square. But he failed to connect and the ball cannoned into his leg stump.
The dismissal raised eyebrows around the cricket world and renewed questions about the teenager's future in the Test team. Many believe Konstas will come back into the Aussie XI for the World Test Championship final against South Africa in June, but Ponting warned he won't have much of a future if he doesn't tone down his expansive ways.
Speaking last month, Ponting said: 'I don't think he can survive as an opener if he continues to play like that. 'I have seen young players getting overawed before making their mark in international cricket. They need a few games or a couple of series to work out on what they need to be successful."
Tuesday's innings was particularly head-scratching as it came with little pressure on and not much spotlight. The way he played against Bumrah and India was believed to be a ploy to throw the tourists off after their No.1 bowler had dominated the series. up until that point.
Many thought Konstas would go back to a more conventional game in the aftermath, particularly in red-ball cricket. But the way he played on Tuesday caused major confusion.
Former Test opener and ex-NSW coach Phil Jaques said in commentary: "He had a fair bit of success, batting pretty conventionally. I get it when there is a world-class bowler seaming it around, and we have one here (in Boland). But it hasn't really seamed an awful lot yet, and it doesn't look like it's going to.
'It was unexplainable really. I don't know what was going on. I think it (the reverse-ramp) is a shot he practices a lot and he plays it pretty well in short-form cricket. But you're seeing him play it all the time now and he's getting out doing it, and losing that consistency of run-scoring ... this kid makes hundreds and historically he hasn't made them by scooping and slogging. It's almost like he's been a bit caught up in it all.'
Sam Konstas put himself on the radar of Australian selectors thanks to brilliant twin tons against South Australia. Played conventionally and showed great temperament.Today, he attempted a ramp or reverse ramp in 3 of the 7 deliveries he faced on the 1st morning of a Shield… pic.twitter.com/7wiRuwzVhs
— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) February 18, 2025
Looks like Sam Konstas got a good one today. #SheffieldShield pic.twitter.com/UUTInb0AtJ
— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) February 18, 2025
Konstas doing a great job of batting himself out of contention for the WTC, West Indies tour & the Ashes.
— Michael Spiteri (@mickspiteri) February 17, 2025
Sam Konstas first over of the day facing Scott Boland. 1: leading edge for 22: scoop over slips for 43: advance, slap through mid off for 44: missed scoop hit on pads5: missed flick down leg6: fwd defence All. Happening.#SheffieldShield @cricketcomau pic.twitter.com/RvmBGuowUz
— Declan Byrne (@dec_byrne) February 17, 2025
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Speaking last month, Konstas' mentor Shane Watson also said he believes Konstas has a big future playing more conventionally. "He's going to have to tap into different aspects of his game, but he is technically very correct," the former Test opener said. "He can certainly just stand there and bat normally and wait for loose balls, but he's also got the other gears to be able to hit the ball down the ground. His blueprint will be a balance of all his shot options that he's got. It will certainly be putting the pressure on the bowler."
Test great Adam Gilchrist said on Tuesday after Konstas' innings: "Time will tell whether it stands up, whether that's going to be happening at Lord's in a few months' time. It's a selection panel that's thrown the rule book out the window, they get their ideas and they go with them. I'm sure he'll still be in the frame."
with agencies