Australia's Konstas renews focus in bid to keep Ashes hopes alive
The 19-year-old opener scored 50 runs at an average of 8.33 as Australia swept their hosts 3-0 in the Caribbean in June and July, but Konstas said it was a great learning experience and still thinks he could fill the void left in the test side by the retirement of David Warner.
'I feel like every cricketer is going to go through that. You're going to have your ups and downs,' he told Sydney's Daily Telegraph. 'One of the Aussie boys was saying even the best players in the world fail 70 per cent and perform 30 per cent of the time. I feel like it's just a great learning to have and I feel like I'll become a better cricketer experiencing that.'
After Konstas scored a spectacular 60 against India on debut at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Boxing Day last year, his test outings have largely been on the down side of the ledger.
He has dumped social media in a bid to remain as focused as possible on resurrecting his fortunes initially in two four-day matches in India with Australia A in September, and then in the Sheffield Shield with New South Wales.
'I think the first few games will be big, but for me, it's just trying to nail my process and don't get too fixated about that,' Konstas added.
'I'm just trying to be in the present moment and score runs in whatever format I play. If I tick that off, then let the selectors make their choice.'
Konstas said he had received plenty of good advice from Australia skipper Pat Cummins on dealing with pressures of playing test cricket and from veteran Steve Smith on the batting side of the game.
'I feel like as long as I prepare as well as possible, I tick all the boxes … and then just let my reactions do the talking. Just try and keep it simple, see ball hit ball,' he said. 'If it's in my zone, be attacking.
Hopefully, understanding game situations better. Little things like that. But for me, it's just the way I prepare and the way I want to go about things and just having that clarity and freedom to do what I do.'
Australia begin their defence of the Ashes in the first of five tests against England in Perth from November 21 to 25.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
13 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Injured Rabada out of ODI series in Australia
South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada was ruled out of the one day international series against Australia with an ankle injury barely an hour before the start of the opening match in Cairns on Tuesday. Rabada underwent a scan on Monday following an inflammation of his right ankle, Cricket South Africa said in a statement, after which the 30-year-old was ruled out of the three-match series. 'He will remain in Australia and undergo rehabilitation under the supervision of the Proteas medical staff,' the statement read. Left-arm quick Kwena Maphaka, who finished as the leading wicket-taker in the preceding T20 series between the sides, has been added to the squad but was not picked for the series opener.
Business Recorder
13 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Australia's Konstas renews focus in bid to keep Ashes hopes alive
SYDNEY: Teenager Sam Konstas is looking to bury the memory of his West Indies disappointment and batter down the door to the Australia team for the upcoming Ashes series with a torrent of runs in all formats over the next couple of months. The 19-year-old opener scored 50 runs at an average of 8.33 as Australia swept their hosts 3-0 in the Caribbean in June and July, but Konstas said it was a great learning experience and still thinks he could fill the void left in the test side by the retirement of David Warner. 'I feel like every cricketer is going to go through that. You're going to have your ups and downs,' he told Sydney's Daily Telegraph. 'One of the Aussie boys was saying even the best players in the world fail 70 per cent and perform 30 per cent of the time. I feel like it's just a great learning to have and I feel like I'll become a better cricketer experiencing that.' After Konstas scored a spectacular 60 against India on debut at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Boxing Day last year, his test outings have largely been on the down side of the ledger. He has dumped social media in a bid to remain as focused as possible on resurrecting his fortunes initially in two four-day matches in India with Australia A in September, and then in the Sheffield Shield with New South Wales. 'I think the first few games will be big, but for me, it's just trying to nail my process and don't get too fixated about that,' Konstas added. 'I'm just trying to be in the present moment and score runs in whatever format I play. If I tick that off, then let the selectors make their choice.' Konstas said he had received plenty of good advice from Australia skipper Pat Cummins on dealing with pressures of playing test cricket and from veteran Steve Smith on the batting side of the game. 'I feel like as long as I prepare as well as possible, I tick all the boxes … and then just let my reactions do the talking. Just try and keep it simple, see ball hit ball,' he said. 'If it's in my zone, be attacking. Hopefully, understanding game situations better. Little things like that. But for me, it's just the way I prepare and the way I want to go about things and just having that clarity and freedom to do what I do.' Australia begin their defence of the Ashes in the first of five tests against England in Perth from November 21 to 25.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Rehan aims to cement all-rounder role
England's young leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has set his sights on earning a place in the squad for this year's Ashes series, declaring his ambition to establish himself as a genuine all-rounder on Friday. The 21-year-old stressed that while bowling remains his primary strength, he is determined to add greater consistency with the bat to contribute in both departments. "I still feel like I'm a bowler who bowls and a batter who can bat. I want to be very good at both. Whether that takes me years or happens quickly, I will always be striving to be the best all-rounder I can," Ahmed said. Ahmed said he has gained confidence from his recent run with the bat, which has already produced five first-class centuries. "I feel that if I occupy the crease long enough, I will always find ways to score. I just had to find a way to stay out there longer. I'm surprised I've kept my head switched on long enough to get five hundreds, but I'm delighted," he added. The youngster also addressed comparisons with Australia's Steve Smith, who started his career as a leg-spinning all-rounder before becoming one of the world's greatest batters. "I love bowling, too! Whenever I've played for England, it's been as a bowler. I still think that's my first skill and I'm trying to learn as much as possible. Leg-spin is an art you can never perfect it's about working as hard as possible. "I want to bowl as much as I can, enjoy it and be part of the game. I just want to get runs and a load of wickets consistently in the same games," he noted. Looking ahead to the Ashes, Ahmed admitted the thought of playing in Australia excites him, though he remains realistic about his chances. "I've never been to Australia, never played there. It looks a great place to play and the Ashes is an incredible occasion. I'd love to be a part of it. "But I know the management, if they pick me, they'll back me 100 percent. If they don't, it's because they don't think I'm the right man for the job there. I have full faith in their judgment. "If you asked any man on the street if they wanted to play in the Ashes, they'd jump at the chance. If I don't go, it'll still be a great watch," he concluded.
