logo
Konstas signs 4-year contract extension with Sydney Thunder

Konstas signs 4-year contract extension with Sydney Thunder

Hans India15 hours ago
Sydney: Australia teen star Sam Konstas has signed a four-year extension (inclusive of BBL 15) that will keep him at Sydney Thunder until at least the end of Big Bash League (BBL) 18, the club announced on Tuesday.
At just 19 years of age, Konstas already boasts a record-breaking Big Bash debut, an Under-19 World Cup winner's medal, and a maiden Baggy Green earned during last summer's Border-Gavaskar series.
His Thunder debut last summer was nothing short of spectacular, blasting 56 runs off 27 balls to set a new club record for the fastest half-century and become the youngest player in BBL history to reach the milestone.
Konstas said the new deal is still as surreal as his first contract.
"I remember being a fan in the stands watching my heroes like Davey [Warner], Michael Hussey and Andre Russell play for Thunder, so to extend for another four seasons is very exciting,' Konstas said.
"Batting with Davey [Warner] last season was a great learning opportunity for me because he's very strategic in the way that he goes about things. I felt like I had a lot of clarity and freedom to play my game.
"We've got an exciting group again which now includes Shadab (Khan)... I feel like this is the year we're going to dominate," he added.
Sydney Thunder general manager Trent Copeland said Konstas' commitment was a major statement for the club's future.
'This contract extension is one of the easiest decisions we've made. This time last year he hadn't played a BBL match, and to go from that to breaking records on debut – alongside his growth across other formats – shows just how far he's come.
'This deal is huge in terms of tenure, and we see it as part of a journey that will hopefully make him a Thunder player for life.
'This extension not only rewards Sam's progression and his lifelong love of the club, but also tells our fans that when we have talent, we're going to do our best to keep them in Thunder colours," Copeland said.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘You'll have to wait for his chance': Ajit Agarkar on Shreyas Iyer's exclusion from Asia Cup squad
‘You'll have to wait for his chance': Ajit Agarkar on Shreyas Iyer's exclusion from Asia Cup squad

The Hindu

time24 minutes ago

  • The Hindu

‘You'll have to wait for his chance': Ajit Agarkar on Shreyas Iyer's exclusion from Asia Cup squad

Following India's announcement of the Asia Cup squad, chief selector Ajit Agarkar stated that Shreyas Iyer did not find a spot in the squad, as we can pick 15 at the moment, and Iyer has to wait for his chance. The squad was announced during a press conference attended by T20I skipper Suryakumar and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, which was held after a selection meeting which also featured the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia. India will kick off their campaign against the UAE on September 10, while the high-voltage game against Pakistan is scheduled for September 14, with both fixtures set to be played in Dubai. India will play their final group stage fixture against Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi. "With regards to Shreyas, not his fault, nor is it ours. It's just that you can pick 15 and at the moment you'll have to wait for his chance," Agarkar told the media. Iyer ended up as the sixth-highest run-getter in IPL 2025 and had his best season, scoring 604 runs in 17 matches and innings at an average of 50.33, strike rate of 175.07 and six fifties. His best score was 97*. Despite a great IPL season, he missed out on finding a spot in the squad. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been named in the reserve players for the Asia Cup. Agarkar, commenting on his exclusion from the 15-member squad, said it's unfortunate, and Abhishek Sharma, alongside his batting, can also bowl, which gives India an extra option. "With regards to Yashasvi, I mean, it's just unfortunate again. You know, there's Abhishek Sharma, what he's done over the last few months or a year or so that he's been with the team, plus that he can bowl a little bit, gives us an option if required by the captain. One of these guys was always going to miss out. It's just unfortunate that Yashasvi might have to wait for his chance," he added. Jaiswal was the back-up opener ahead of Gill for the T20 World Cup last year. He was the backup as India wanted to open with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Having made 723 runs in 23 T20Is with a century and five fifties at a strike rate of over 164 throughout his career, Jaiswal's 559-run IPL 2025 season (in 14 matches with six fifties at SR of almost 160) brought back the leftie into T20I conversations. 'Will come into the equation if we need four spinners' All-rounder Washington Sundar has also been named in the reserve players. On his contention for the upcoming T20 World Cup next year, Agarkar said Sundar will always be in the scheme, and this is not the final squad for the World Cup. "He'll always be in the scheme of things. This is not the final squad for the World Cup. At the moment, we have three spinners in the squad. Two mystery spinners in Varun, Kuldeep and Akshar. They've been around for a while. Whether we need four spinners, he might always come into the equation, if and when that happens. At the moment, we thought Rinku was the spare batsman we might need. Obviously, Sanju and Jitesh are the two keepers who bat at different positions," Agarkar said. Indian T20 skipper Surya Kumar Yadav spoke about his discussion with wicketkeeper/batter Jitesh Sharma post T20 World Cup last year and said he's been a completely different cricketer. Sharma has done really well, which earned him a spot in the Asia Cup squad. Jitesh Sharma has been chosen as a backup wicketkeeper-batter for Sanju Samson. "I think post the T20 World Cup, we spoke a lot on how to approach, how to go about it. Then we spoke about not think about the milestones ahead. Follow your journey. I think he's been a completely different cricketer post that. He's taken one game at a time. All challenges slow and steady, the way he did in the IPL and also in the domestic tournaments, which he played. The T20S and the one-day, I think he's done really well and he's earned his spot again," Yadav said. Jitesh shone for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) win for the first time this year, scoring 261 runs in 11 innings at an average of 37.28 and a strike rate of 176.35. After the group stage, the tournament will proceed to the Super 4, where the top two teams from each group will qualify. If India finishes at the top of Group A, then all of their Super 4 matches will be held in Dubai. If India finishes second, then one of their Super 4 clashes will be held in Abu Dhabi and the remaining two in Dubai. The Super 4 stage will run from September 20 to 26. Dubai will host the final, which is scheduled for September 28. Team India squad for Asia Cup: Surya Kumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku SinghReserve players: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal. (ANI)

Its Going To Be A Big Four Games...: Young Australia Batter Eyes Strong Sheffield Shield Start To Secure Ashes Spot
Its Going To Be A Big Four Games...: Young Australia Batter Eyes Strong Sheffield Shield Start To Secure Ashes Spot

India.com

timean hour ago

  • India.com

Its Going To Be A Big Four Games...: Young Australia Batter Eyes Strong Sheffield Shield Start To Secure Ashes Spot

Australia's young batting talent Sam Konstas knows the coming months will be critical if he is to retain his Test spot for the Ashes, but the 19-year-old is intent on shutting out outside noise and focusing on the processes he trusts. Konstas endured a tough time in the recent West Indies series, managing just 50 runs in six innings in challenging conditions where both top orders struggled. Those matches were his first Tests since bursting onto the scene against India last season. With the Ashes on the horizon in November, the New South Wales batter finds himself back in the selection mix and aware of the stakes. 'It's massive, it's going to be a big four games and I expect that,' Konstas told ESPNcricinfo on the day he signed a new four-year deal with Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League, which keeps him at the club until 2029. 'But for me, [it's about] just being in the present moment, don't get too fixated about the outcome and just be very process-driven in those games. Not getting too fazed about what other people say, and obviously have that inner circle that I trust.' Konstas has resumed training with New South Wales after taking a short break post-tour and will feature in the four-day leg of the Australia A tour of India next month. While selectors view that trip with the long-term goal of Australia's five-Test series in India in 2027, Konstas knows his immediate focus is the early rounds of the Sheffield Shield. 'For me it's just trying to best prepare, and then obviously trusting what I think is right in that current moment,' he explained. 'It was my first time playing in the West Indies, and first time facing those bowlers. They bowled well and hopefully I can build from that experience. Adopting the right mindset, training hard, not leaving any regrets. For me, that's the big thing, just the way I prepare, and especially with the people that I trust, having honest conversations with them when necessary and leaving it to that.' NSW captain Jack Edwards, who will also tour India with Australia A, praised his teammate's attitude in recent weeks. 'He definitely doesn't hold onto it [the tour] for too long,' Edwards told ESPNcricinfo. 'It's great to have him around. He's working extremely hard at his game as he always does, hitting a mountain of balls…such a young man, he's definitely going to have a long career for Australia.' Konstas revealed he has leaned on senior figures including Steven Smith and David Warner—his captain at Sydney Thunder—for guidance. 'I'm very lucky to be working with the best in the world,' he said. Picked for Australia after just 11 first-class games, Konstas has been learning much of his trade at the highest level. The coaching staff believe his struggles in the Caribbean won't do long-term harm. Konstas himself remains focused on growth. 'I'm still learning about my game and finding what works in different conditions,' he said. 'Understanding the situations, when to soak up pressure [and] when to attack the game.' Warner, in particular, has been an important sounding board. 'I just like his mindset, to be honest,' Konstas said. 'He takes the game on and he's very aggressive. He's always trying to dictate terms in the way he likes to.' Still a teenager - he turns 20 in October - Konstas is trying to keep perspective amid the ups and downs of international cricket. 'As an athlete, you're going to go through failures and successes, but I tell you, build from those failures and become a better person and cricketer,' he reflected.

Home theatre: India's quest for glory
Home theatre: India's quest for glory

New Indian Express

timean hour ago

  • New Indian Express

Home theatre: India's quest for glory

CHENNAI: IN the end, it was a squad with no surprises. As Neetu David, chair of the women's selection committee, sat alongside captain Harmanpreet Kaur and announced the 15-member team for the upcoming Women's ODI World Cup, it seemed clear that India have opted for safety and balance in their quest to win the first global trophy. Explosive opener Shafali Verma did not make the cut while Renuka Singh Thankur who had been out of action due to injury was included in the squad for the ODIs against Australia as well as the global event that follows. Meanwhile, all-rounder Amanjot Kaur who is currently nursing a niggle at the BCCI Centre of Excellence has been rested for the Australia ODIs but is a part of the squad for the World Cup. Shafali's exclusion meant Pratika Rawal will continue to open with Smriti Mandhana. The Haryana batter was dropped from the side late last year before making waves in the domestic circuit. However, when Shafali was picked for the England T20Is and the India A tour of Australia, she failed to make an impact. Chief selector Neetu said that the youngster is in the scheme of things and they are hoping that she will have a long career with India. "Shafali played the Australia A series. She's in the system, it is not like that she's not. We've got our eyes on her. Hope she plays a lot more and garners experience, it'll help serve India in the 50-overs format in the future. We want a long career from Shafali," Neetu said at the press conference on Tuesday.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store