Latest news with #SamKonstas
News.com.au
24-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Incredible Sam Konstas act emerges as Aussie teen expected to be snubbed for World Test Championship
Sam Konstas is reportedly set to be snubbed for the World Test Championship final for a batsman who has never opened at the international level, but the teenager is doing all he can to change selectors' minds. Last week Cricket Australia announced its 15-player squad for the marquee fixture against South Africa at Lord's which gets underway on June 11. Skipper Pat Cummins, experienced quick Josh Hazlewood and all-rounder Cameron Green are among the inclusions to the squad, with Konstas also named. However, with Green impressing in his return to cricket after an injury lay-off, the Sydney Morning Herald reports Konstas is set to be overlooked for the final, with Marnus Labuschagne favoured to join Queensland teammate Usman Khawaja at the top of the order, with Green coming into the 11-man team down the order. That would mean Labuschagne would become the fifth player to open alongside Khawaja since Warner's retirement, with Steve Smith, Nathan McSweeney and Konstas each occupying the role before Travis Head was elevated up the order for this year's Test tour of Sri Lanka. But Konstas is doing all he can to persuade selectors to pick him as opener, which would almost certainly come at the expense of Labushagne. His desire to improve and lock down the opener spot in the Australian Test side led him to fly to Brisbane for a net session with veteran spinner Nathan Lyon, all at his own expense. 'I thought I'd give Sam a call because the weather has been horrendous here in Sydney and it might be a good idea if Sam came up with me for a day and he could have a hit with Marnus (Labuschagne) and face me for a little bit,' Lyon told Code Sports about the private net session. 'Sam is incredibly talented. He's still learning his game and that's a joy to watch and hopefully be a part of in some way or another. Whether it's passing on a bit of advice or just talking about playing spin bowling, or whatever it might be. 'This is the role of the senior player. The likes of Ponting, Hussey and Haddin did that for me when I was early in my career. 'Sam is willing to learn and he wants to learn and that's the best thing about Sam. You can see that.' Lyon feels that Konstas is on the right path but just needs to learn when to bring out his showmanship strokes. 'He obviously has the game. We all know he has the skill, that was on display for his first entry into Test cricket. He's got a big future ahead of him,' Lyon said. 'Hopefully he can keep chipping away and keep working on his game and understanding when he can play those big shots and then when he needs to knuckle down and defend.' Konstas has also been up to Brisbane three times in recent weeks for official Cricket Australia camps with other WTF Final squad members.
News.com.au
21-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.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. London here we come. Can’t wait to grab the Microphone for @1116sen @SEN_Cricket For the World Test Final @HomeOfCricket between Australia and South Africa staring June 11th ðŸ�� 🎙ï¸� — Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) May 13, 2025 '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.'
West Australian
21-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
A former Australian star has thrown his support behind Sam Konstas for World Test Championship final
A former Australian star has thrown his support behind Sam Konstas for World Test Championship final
News.com.au
13-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Australian selector George Bailey on Sam Konstas and World Test Championship final
Australia is willing to play the long game with rapidly emerging yet unfinished product Sam Konstas. Konstas and Usman Khawaja are the only recognised opening batters in the Aussies' 16-man squad set for South Africa in next month's World Test Championship final. But the opening spot is still up for grabs, with Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Inglis options to face Proteas quick Kagiso Rabada. Chairman of selectors George Bailey said if the Aussies veered away from Konstas at the top of the order again, the young star would still find a way to advance his game. 'I think it's pretty clear that he's not a finished product, he's on a journey, he's a highly talented player,' he said. 'The things we like: He's a quick learner, he's really keen to learn, he's shown an amazing ability to adapt and change the way he plays. 'Any opportunity that he does get around this team, whether that's in the XI or around the squad, I think he's going to continue to improve.' Bailey reinforced his stance on the opening spot not being a specialist role, declaring 'more people could do it than we probably give credit to'. 'I think (Labuschagne) could do it, I think we've got a number of guys who could open the batting, that's not to say that they will,' he said. 'I do think it's a role that more people could do it than we probably give credit to. I know there's a prevailing thought that it's a specialised role. 'I think in certain conditions, there's opportunities where other guys could do it, whether that's England for Josh (Inglis) or a middle order role where he's had success already. 'I am not trying to be cryptic about it and we're sitting on the XI, (where) we know it and we're just not announcing it, I just think there's quite a bit to work through. 'The Test is another month away, there's guys still playing cricket in India, guys in England playing and some guys starting their preparation here as well.' The Aussies have Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott as reserve bowlers but will likely lean on Scott Boland first if one of the mainstay quicks fall short. 'That'll become clearer once we get to the UK and probably get eyes on particularly those fast bowlers who have been playing in India,' Bailey said.
Perth Now
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
‘Not a finished product': Aussies' view on Konstas
Australia is willing to play the long game with rapidly emerging yet unfinished product Sam Konstas. Konstas and Usman Khawaja are the only recognised opening batters in the Aussies' 16-man squad set for South Africa in next month's World Test Championship final. But the opening spot is still up for grabs, with Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Inglis options to face Proteas quick Kagiso Rabada. Chairman of selectors George Bailey said if the Aussies veered away from Konstas at the top of the order again, the young star would still find a way to advance his game. 'I think it's pretty clear that he's not a finished product, he's on a journey, he's a highly talented player,' he said. 'The things we like: He's a quick learner, he's really keen to learn, he's shown an amazing ability to adapt and change the way he plays. 'Any opportunity that he does get around this team, whether that's in the XI or around the squad, I think he's going to continue to improve.' Australian selectors are willing to be patient with Sam Konstas. Michael Klein Credit: News Corp Australia Bailey reinforced his stance on the opening spot not being a specialist role, declaring 'more people could do it than we probably give credit to'. 'I think (Labuschagne) could do it, I think we've got a number of guys who could open the batting, that's not to say that they will,' he said. 'I do think it's a role that more people could do it than we probably give credit to. I know there's a prevailing thought that it's a specialised role. 'I think in certain conditions, there's opportunities where other guys could do it, whether that's England for Josh (Inglis) or a middle order role where he's had success already. 'I am not trying to be cryptic about it and we're sitting on the XI, (where) we know it and we're just not announcing it, I just think there's quite a bit to work through. 'The Test is another month away, there's guys still playing cricket in India, guys in England playing and some guys starting their preparation here as well.' The Aussies have Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott as reserve bowlers but will likely lean on Scott Boland first if one of the mainstay quicks fall short. 'That'll become clearer once we get to the UK and probably get eyes on particularly those fast bowlers who have been playing in India,' Bailey said. 'They're all working pretty hard behind the scenes to ramp up their loads a little bit but it'll be a slightly different preparation.'
