Latest news with #Konstas
West Australian
2 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
MITCHELL JOHNSON: Australian Test team returning to Lord's for WTC final two years after Jonny Bairstow drama
The Australian cricket team returns to the home of cricket, Lord's, for the World Test Championship final against South Africa next week. The last time they played there was in 2023 against England and the shocking scenes in the Long Room involving some of the Marylebone Cricket Club members after Jonny Bairstow's controversial stumping dismissal are something I hope we never see again. Now the question is, will this effect the Australian players? It's possible. It's hard not to reflect on events like that as a player in that situation. It's a scene they have to walk through again, and that was not a good memory. Players are usually adept at handling the pressures of the game, especially this Australian team, which has seen and experienced it all. However, I'm sure it will linger in the minds of some players. They'll be prepared for anything, given what the English crowds are known to exhibit. They can be quite vocal — as I learnt during my career — and I expect there will be plenty of noise and attempted distractions from fans, even though England isn't even in the Test final. The neutral home fans will surely be backing South Africa. I've often said that cricket is a mental game. The skills of players are quite similar at this level and while there are standout cricketers, it ultimately comes down to who has the strongest mental resolve. This is particularly true in Test cricket, especially over five days and in a final, where the crowd will likely be against you. Being mentally prepared for what's coming — both on and off the field — is crucial. AB de Villiers exemplified this during my playing days. He would step onto the field without giving an inch, maintaining the same body language every time he batted — whether they were ahead or behind in the game. It was often hard to tell if he was nervous. Entering a Test final is challenging enough. You know that it's a must-win, one-off match and on top of that, you know the UK fans will have plenty to say. I genuinely hope the Lord's members can conduct themselves well and return to respecting the game and the players who pass through the Long Room, where so much history has unfolded over the years. I recently picked my top six batsmen for the final in this column, starting with Sam Konstas as the opener alongside Khawaja. I've got Cam Green at three, Steve Smith four, Travis Head five and Beau Webster at six, which means Marnus Labuschagne misses out. I did consider bringing Josh Inglis in as an opener instead of Konstas, but I prefer him in the middle order. So, I'm sticking with Konstas at the top for this important match in the hope he can take the South African bowling attack away from their game plan. Alex Carey stays at seven, which brings us to the bowlers. You'd think the bowling lineup almost picks itself, given how well they've performed. I doubt there will be any bold changes, but my only concern is Josh Hazlewood and his fitness. His Twenty20 performances have been stellar and he boasts an impressive Test record, but his injury history over the past few years does give me pause. For a one-off Test like this, I believe he can definitely get through it, but if it were a series, I might feel differently and consider Scott Boland more seriously. And the other factor to consider is, has he bowled enough in the IPL to get himself ready for Test cricket? Bowlers would often bowl more overs in the nets to get their bowling loads up if they were coming into a Test or one-day series after the IPL. Bowlers generally know what they need to get right, especially someone like Hazlewood, but it will be interesting to see how he pulls up from this final. The Australians look to be the favourites, but it's great to see South Africa coming in with confidence after some tough times in Test cricket. They're making all the right noises in the media, but Australia's experience will make them a formidable opponent. Ultimately, it's about showing up for all five days.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Aussie selectors' rare move turns up heat on Marnus Labuschagne ahead of WTC final
The battle is heating up between Marnus Labuschagne and Sam Konstas to earn a spot at the top of the order for Australia in next week's World Test Championship final against South Africa. And if a rare move from Aussie selectors at the team's training camp in London is anything to go by, both men would appear to be right in contention to be named Usman Khawaja's partner at the top of the order. Previous reports indicated Labuschagne was set to pip Konstas and be named to open for the first time in his Test career for the showpiece final at Lord's, starting on June 11. But the presence of Australia's entire panel of selectors in London would suggest it's far from a done deal and young gun Konstas is still in the frame to earn his Test recall. Usually only two of Australia's selectors would be on hand before any given Test, but coach Andrew McDonald was joined by both selection chief George Bailey and Tony Dodemaide to run their eye over the Aussie training camp in London. And right at the top of the agenda will be deciding which batter gets the nod to open the batting against the Proteas, with Cameron Green expected to slot back in at No.4 and Steve Smith to shift up one spot to No.3 It's understood selectors were leaning towards promoting Labuschagne to open but the veteran's patchy recent form has opened the door for Konstas. And the young gun looked sharp during Australia's training camp in London after being told to work on a number of technical issues with his batting. Both batters were given a stern examination from the Aussie quicks, but it was Konstas that reportedly looked the more impressive. With Josh Hazlewood absent after winning the IPL title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru this week, Aussie skipper Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland put both batters to the sword and Konstas had clearly taken the feedback about his technique on board. RELATED: Ponting accused of brutal mistake as Hazlewood wins IPL title Cricket world stunned as rival joins Glenn Maxwell in immediate exit Marnus Labuschagne cops brutal new blow amid calls for Test axing The 19-year-old looked far more compact and measured than the batter whose flashy but often erratic shot-making saw him dropped after his memorable debut Test series against India, and sent back to Sheffield Shield to work on his technique. Labuschagne appeared less comfortable in the net session than his young rival and may well be down on confidence after a lean run of form with the bat over the last couple of years. However, experience could count massively in the favour of Labuschagne, who has 11 Test tons to his name and two half centuries from three Test innings at Lord's. The 30-year-old has never opened at Test level before though, and averaged just 25.36 with the bat across the summer, after disappointing Test series against India and Sri Lanka. He also had underwhelming stints with Queensland in Sheffield Shield, as well as a lacklustre cameo with Welsh county side, Glamorgan. Former South African quick Vernon Philander warned that if Labuschagne was picked to open for Australia, then he was a batter the Proteas' bowlers would certainly look to target at Lord's. "Australia have a bit of a defect against the moving ball,' Philander told SportsBoom. "Technically and mentally, South Africa's batsmen perhaps have the upper hand with the general overhead conditions in England and the Duke ball being completely different to the Kookaburra. 'So, the Proteas bowlers will certainly want to exploit that. Marnus Labuschagne has been short of runs, as has Steve Smith to an extent in the previous couple of seasons. So there's a window of opportunity there, their shortfalls will be in the back of the mind. Tactically, the ball nips around at Lord's and Australia's top order could be vulnerable especially since our bowlers have the ability to get the ball a touch fuller.'
Sky News AU
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Sky News AU
A former Australian star has thrown his support behind Sam Konstas for World Test Championship final
Former Australian star Damien Fleming wants to see selectors boldly back Sam Konstas in next month's World Test Championship final at Lords. Konstas is in a battle with No.3 Marnus Labuschagne and the returning Cam Green to partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order in the one off Test with South Africa. Fleming believes Green will resume his post at No.4 and slide Steve Smith up to No.3 – leaving the vacant spot between Labuschagne and Konstas. The former quick, who made 108 international appearances, says Konstas offers something different to Labuschagne against the new ball. 'My gut feeling is that they'll stick with Marnus but I would actually go with Konstas,' Fleming, who will cover the final for SEN, said. 'I want Konstas to open in the Ashes, so to get a Test final, which is pretty extreme pressure against (Kagiso) Rabada, (Lungi) Ngidi, (Marco) Jansen and co. 'But in his four innings so far he's had (Jasprit) Bumrah bowling so it's not as if he hasn't faced the best at Test level already. 'What I like about Konstas is his scoring rate, we saw early in the Indian series when Nathan McSweeney was opening with Usman and Marnus at No.3, at times they battled really hard but if they lost one or two the scoreboard was nowhere.' Konstas delivered a spectacular debut on Boxing Day in front of a packed MCG, slamming India to all parts in a quick-fire 60. Fleming says Konstas' debut innings and 'even his little cameos' allow the experienced Khawaja to patiently get going. 'We saw in Melbourne in that stunning first innings when Konstas gets out we're virtually 100 and the game is set up,' Fleming said. 'Even his little cameos in Sydney … those quick 20s just accelerated the game and Usman can play within himself. 'I would like for them to go with Konstas, he's the future, we want to get games into him and his scoring rate sets up Test matches. 'Dave Warner was doing that for us for many years, (Virender) Sehwag did it for India, (Chris) Gayle for the West Indies – I mean everyone is doing it in 'Bazball'. 'The more he plays, hopefully he finds that tempo between T20 innovation and just orthodox cricket which he looks like he is orthodox but he does have genuine power, I think he will end up a big, strong boy. 'Yes, it's a World Test Championship final but I think I would be going with Konstas and Usman.' Fleming disagrees with the idea put forward by Chairman of Selectors George Bailey that opening is a role 'more people could do than we give credit to'. He says setting that standard runs the risk of players at Sheffield Shield level avoiding the new ball for a better shot at national selection. 'Under George Bailey, (Andrew) McDonald and (Pat) Cummins, they have been horses for courses to some degree,' he said. 'But as someone sort of said … with the selections of McSweeney – who I think will make it as a Test middle-order player and I love what he brings in the field as well. 'But why be a specialist opener in Shield cricket if they're going to pick guys who bat No.4 to open in Test match cricket? Why would you take that risk? 'The ball might be a bit more blunted and we know, it might have been Moises Henriques who said it … batting has got 30 per cent hard because of the pitches in Shield cricket. 'Opening up is really tough, so I think we need to decrease expectations, years ago you had to average 50 to play Test cricket but maybe we'll take 35 and build partnerships. 'In an ideal world I would like to see us reward Sheffield Shield openers into the Test team.' Originally published as A former Australian star has thrown his support behind Sam Konstas for World Test Championship final
Perth Now
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
‘He's the future': Former Aussie star backs batting prodigy
Former Australian star Damien Fleming wants to see selectors boldly back Sam Konstas in next month's World Test Championship final at Lords. Konstas is in a battle with No.3 Marnus Labuschagne and the returning Cam Green to partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order in the one off Test with South Africa. Fleming believes Green will resume his post at No.4 and slide Steve Smith up to No.3 – leaving the vacant spot between Labuschagne and Konstas. The former quick, who made 108 international appearances, says Konstas offers something different to Labuschagne against the new ball. 'My gut feeling is that they'll stick with Marnus but I would actually go with Konstas,' Fleming, who will cover the final for SEN, said. 'I want Konstas to open in the Ashes, so to get a Test final, which is pretty extreme pressure against (Kagiso) Rabada, (Lungi) Ngidi, (Marco) Jansen and co. 'But in his four innings so far he's had (Jasprit) Bumrah bowling so it's not as if he hasn't faced the best at Test level already. 'What I like about Konstas is his scoring rate, we saw early in the Indian series when Nathan McSweeney was opening with Usman and Marnus at No.3, at times they battled really hard but if they lost one or two the scoreboard was nowhere.' Konstas delivered a spectacular debut on Boxing Day in front of a packed MCG, slamming India to all parts in a quick-fire 60. Fleming says Konstas' debut innings and 'even his little cameos' allow the experienced Khawaja to patiently get going. 'We saw in Melbourne in that stunning first innings when Konstas gets out we're virtually 100 and the game is set up,' Fleming said. 'Even his little cameos in Sydney … those quick 20s just accelerated the game and Usman can play within himself. 'I would like for them to go with Konstas, he's the future, we want to get games into him and his scoring rate sets up Test matches. 'Dave Warner was doing that for us for many years, (Virender) Sehwag did it for India, (Chris) Gayle for the West Indies – I mean everyone is doing it in 'Bazball'. 'The more he plays, hopefully he finds that tempo between T20 innovation and just orthodox cricket which he looks like he is orthodox but he does have genuine power, I think he will end up a big, strong boy. 'Yes, it's a World Test Championship final but I think I would be going with Konstas and Usman.' Damien Fleming says Sam Konstas compliments the experienced Usman Khawaja at the top of the order. Photo by Phil Hillyard Credit: News Corp Australia Fleming disagrees with the idea put forward by Chairman of Selectors George Bailey that opening is a role 'more people could do than we give credit to'. He says setting that standard runs the risk of players at Sheffield Shield level avoiding the new ball for a better shot at national selection. 'Under George Bailey, (Andrew) McDonald and (Pat) Cummins, they have been horses for courses to some degree,' he said. 'But as someone sort of said … with the selections of McSweeney – who I think will make it as a Test middle-order player and I love what he brings in the field as well. 'But why be a specialist opener in Shield cricket if they're going to pick guys who bat No.4 to open in Test match cricket? Why would you take that risk? 'The ball might be a bit more blunted and we know, it might have been Moises Henriques who said it … batting has got 30 per cent hard because of the pitches in Shield cricket. 'Opening up is really tough, so I think we need to decrease expectations, years ago you had to average 50 to play Test cricket but maybe we'll take 35 and build partnerships. 'In an ideal world I would like to see us reward Sheffield Shield openers into the Test team.'
Express Tribune
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Australia opening spot still up for grabs
Australia's David Warner and Usman Khawaja take to the field for the final time together. Photo: REUTERS Australia's opening partnership has been the subject of much debate since David Warner retired and remains unresolved less than a month before the World Test Championship final against South Africa. Since Warner played his last Test match in January 2024, Usman Khawaja has had no fewer than four opening partners in 11 matches and the 38-year-old could have yet another with the world title on the line at Lord's in mid-June. Ahead of the World Test Championship (WTC) final from June 11 against South Africa at Lord's, there is a possibility that there could be a fifth different opener in 12 Tests during this period. Sam Konstas has a chance of resuming his Test career after the two outings against India, but the selectors might again get creative. Marnus Labuschagne is in the frame, despite an average of 28.33 in this WTC cycle, while Josh Inglis, who made a century on debut in Sri Lanka, has not been discounted either, with national selector George Bailey suggesting the opening position does not need to be a specialist role. "I do think that it's a role that more people could do than we would probably give credit to," head selector George Bailey said on Tuesday after announcing the squad for the final and the tour of West Indies that follows. "There is a prevailing thought (that) it's a specialised role, but I think in certain conditions there's opportunities at different times where other guys could do it." Of Khawaja's recent partners, Steve Smith has moved back down the batting order, Nathan McSweeney has been dropped while Travis Head and Sam Konstas remain options after being named in the squad. Head has an impressive record in the middle order in English conditions, however, and teenager Konstas enjoyed a stunning debut against India late last year but was dropped for the tour of Sri Lanka in January and February. "It's pretty clear that he's not the finished product," Bailey said of Konstas. "He's on a journey. He's a highly talented player. But again, that's not to discount his ability to play in the World Test Championship, should he be required." Australia have looked beyond frontline red-ball openers since Warner's retirement - and with mixed results. Steven Smith had first dibs on the role, largely to allow Cameron Green to return at No. 4. Smith lasted as an opener across only four Tests against West Indies and New Zealand, although his stint did include a superb 91 not out at the Gabba. Nathan McSweeney then made his debut against India in Perth, having opened for the first time a couple of weeks earlier for Australia A, and like many, found life tough against Jasprit Bumrah. Then, in Sri Lanka earlier this year, Travis Head reverted to the job in what had intially been a long-term plan after the impact he made in India in 2023, which meant Konstas, a specialist opener in his brief domestic career, made way after just two matches. There is a view that Konstas will play in the West Indies even if he doesn't feature in the WTC final. But if someone else gets the opportunity against South Africa and is successful, then that would leave the selectors with further tricky decisions. With all-rounder Cameron Green returning after back surgery, albeit only as a batsman initially, Marnus Labuschagne has been floated as a candidate to move to the top of the order to make space for him. "I think Marnus could open the batting," said Bailey. "A number of guys could open the batting, but certainly that's not to say that they will." Australia will defend their world Test title against the Proteas in a one-off clash at Lord's from June 11 to 15 before playing a three-Test series in the Caribbean in June and July.
