Sam Konstas defies critics after 'manic' move as push for Test selection ends

Yahoo

18-03-2025

Sam Konstas scored 68 runs on day four against Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield as the Aussie opener shelved his 'manic' approach, but his state's collapse means the opener won't get another innings in Australia before Test selection. The Blues needed 529 to win in their second innings against Tasmania to advance to the final with openers Konstas and Blake Nikitaras starting at 0-71 on day four at Bellerive.
Nikitaras then fell for 51 runs to break the 112-run partnership. Kurtis Patterson was out early for a duck after just three balls. The one constant that remained in the fourth innings was Konstas. The 19-year-old has returned to Sheffield Shield cricket in an attempt to get some runs on the board. He produced a 50 in his previous Sheffield Shield match and was looking to march NSW into the final.
Konstas has copped plenty of backlash for his aggressive approach to batting since making his debut for Australia against India. But the young opener has followed the advice from his coach and played a controlled innings as he reached his half-century.
Konstas put the aggressive approach back in the kit bag for at least 101 balls as he reached 61 to put NSW in with an opportunity to chase down the runs. Although Konstas was always going to attempt one aggressive shot and ramped the bowler for four after facing 101 balls.
And not long after it all fell apart for the opener. Against his national teammate, Konstas attempted to slog Matthew Kuhnemann for six. Unfortunately, he picked out the one leg-side fielder on the boundary as he departed for 68 runs.
While it was a solid innings from Konstas who finished on 68 off 117 balls, it was the timing of the shot that drew criticism with NSW losing three wickets to start the day. "Nice knock from Sam Konstas, but not what NSW needed to set up a platform for a chase later on in the day," the commentator said. "It does make it tough to set the game up from here."
The pressure then mounted on NSW as Kuhnemann took another wicket as he sat pretty with 2-18 on day four. Riley Meredith then took the wicket of Matthew Gilkes to see NSW lose 5-28 to start play. The Tigers' were charging to victory on Tuesday and it means Konstas won't have another chance to impress selectors on Aussie soil before the national side is selected for Test Championship Final. He may potentially fit in a short stint in the County Championship if a deal can be struck with an English club, but that is appearing unlikely.
Nice 50* from Sam Konstas, off 79 balls. Only one manic charge that I can remember (which went for four over cover off RMeredith last night). Showing sensible judgement today.
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) March 18, 2025
It's taken 110 balls, but we've seen a Konstas ramp. #four
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) March 18, 2025
Konstas' relatively reserved approach comes after veteran NSW coach Greg Shipperd said there had been conversations with the opener after admitting his questionable approach against Scott Boland last match was not a tactic they'd discussed. "I'm not sure he planned that (aggressive approach to Boland), I think it just unfolded in that particular moment," Shipperd said about the 19-year-old.
"With discussions and reconsideration of what a batting plan looks like, he's made some adjustments. That means to me he's listening and he's learning, and that's very important for him at this stage of his career. He's still working the game out. I'd be very surprised if the Australian selectors weren't considering him strongly for that opening position (for the WTC final).
Most recently, former Aussie captain Mark Taylor told Channel 9 someone had to speak to Konstas about reining in his approach. "He's not sure where he should play or how he should play. I'd be saying to Sam Konstas, 'how did you get to the Australian cricket side?' He got there playing orthodox cricket. Go back and play like that.
"Die by the way and live by the way that you play. He doesn't play like he did in Boxing Day last summer. That's not how he plays. He's a much better player than that."
In the Queensland-South Australia clash, Labuschagne only made 23 off 43 balls as the match finished in a draw. The low score marked another costly blow for Labuschagne, who's in danger of losing his spot in the Test team.
He hasn't made a Test century in two years, and is facing pressure from the likes of Cameron Green and Josh Inglis ahead of the WTC final against South Africa. Alex Carey made a wonderful century (104) for SA, while Conor McInerney (142), Jake Lehmann (130 not out) and Jason Sangha (103 not out) also reached triple figures. Carey continued some stellar form with 56 in the second innings.