'Won't be available': Sam Konstas ban comes to light amid Shane Watson wife detail
Australian cricket sensation Sam Konstas will let his bat do the talking for the immediate future after his management team – headed by Shane Watson's wife Lee – imposed a temporary ban on media appearances. NSW team management told Yahoo Sport Australia this week that Konstas won't be doing any media until further notice following a summer of headlines.
The 19-year-old, who stunned the cricketing world with his cavalier Boxing Day half-century against India, will not be available to the press for the time being. Since making his debut for Australia in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar series, every Konstas innings has come under heavy scrutiny.
One media outlet even sent a reporter to a recent Sydney grade game to critique Konstas, but the Aussie opener spent the day in the field. The teenager was in the news again this week after replacing glamour for grit to score a patient 50 to help NSW bat out a draw against Western Australia.
Former Test captains Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh and Mark Taylor have all had their say on the rookie's unorthodox approach to batting, urging him to shelve the more audacious strokes and build an innings. From being a relative unknown at Christmas, Konstas is now one of the country's highest-profile players despite playing just two Tests.
His management team is keen to limit his exposure and let him concentrate on cricket for the remainder of the season. Yahoo Sport Australia put in an interview request to NSW team management ahead of the Blues' must-win Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania starting Saturday, and was politely declined.
A spokesperson told us: "Thanks for your interest in Sam but he is not doing any media at the moment. He wants to concentrate solely on his cricket and do his best to help the Blues reach the Shield final. We will revisit his media commitments in due course."
The ban may be temporarily lifted if Konstas scores runs against Tasmania and is required to talk, but otherwise he will be looking to keep a low profile. The Blues must beat the Tigers and rely on other results to reach this month's Shield decider against South Australia at Adelaide Oval.
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Konstas appears certain to open for Australia in the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord's in June, before making his way to the Caribbean for the three-Test tour against the West Indies. He may also fit in a short stint in the County Championship if a deal can be struck with an English club.
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