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India.com
a day ago
- Sport
- 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.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hans India
Konstas signs 4-year contract extension with Sydney Thunder
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.
West Australian
2 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Sam Konstas inks massive new Big Bash deal with Sydney Thunder ahead of Ashes tilt
Sam Konstas's place in the Australian Test team is far from assured ahead of the Ashes . But his Big Bash future is secure after signing a four-year deal with the Sydney Thunder, with team boss Trent Copeland declaring offering the lengthy extension was 'one of the easiest decisions' they've made. Konstas himself said it is 'obviously very satisfying' and appreciated the support from not only Copeland and coach Trevor Bayliss but potential opening partner David Warner. 'It feels like my second home,' the 19-year-old said on Tuesday. The Big Bash deal comes after he was upgraded to a Cricket Australia central contract earlier this year . That show of faith was followed by a difficult Test tour of the West Indies, however, ensuring he will enter the home summer under pressure to keep his spot in the side. He will get his first chance to impress when he tours India with the Australia A side next month before the Sheffield Shield begins in October. 'I'm just trying to get better and be in the present moment, not getting too fazed about what other people say,' Konstas said. 'I have an inner circle that I trust so it's just best preparing and hopefully in future tours I can improve on my performances.' Konstas ended the Shield season last summer with back-to-back fifties but went backwards in the West Indies. He was out for a duck twice and registered just 50 runs in what were three relatively low-scoring Test matches. Konstas said those closest to him have continued to call for the opener to 'be himself' at the crease. 'It's just trusting what I think's right in that current moment,' he said. Leaning on Shane Watson upon returning home to reflect on his red-ball exploits, Konstas was back in the nets after just a week off. Four Shield matches loom large before Australia's Ashes squad is named. 'It's massive. It's going to be a big four games and I expect that,' he said. 'But for me it's just about being in the present moment, don't get too fixated on the outcome and be very process-driven in those games.' Konstas is set to face a serious challenge from Tasmania's Jake Weatherald, with Queensland veteran Usman Khawaja set to be backed in for the other opening spot. Weatherald topped the Shield last season with 906 runs at 50.3 and then dominated for Australia A against Sri Lanka in July, scoring 54 and 183. 'He's doing a lot of things right, isn't he?' chairman of selectors George Bailey said earlier this month. 'His performance last year was awesome. His performance in the Australia A matches was great, too. 'A lot of selection is potentially being in the right place at the right time. So if he starts the year as he had last year, he'll be well in the mix.' The fight for the opening position comes at a time the middle order is also in the midst of a refresh. Marnus Labuschagne was dropped for the West Indies tour and replaced at first drop by Cameron Green, who could yet move back to No.6 for the summer. Nathan McSweeney could come into calculations for a return to the side after last year's brief stint as an opener. His South Australia teammate Jason Sangha is in the selectors' thoughts, too, having scored 202 against Sri Lanka after averaging 78.2 across six Shield games last season.
7NEWS
2 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Sam Konstas inks massive new Big Bash deal with Sydney Thunder ahead of Ashes tilt
Sam Konstas's place in the Australian Test team is far from assured ahead of the Ashes. But his Big Bash future is secure after signing a four-year deal with the Sydney Thunder, with team boss Trent Copeland declaring offering the lengthy extension was 'one of the easiest decisions' they've made. Konstas himself said it is 'obviously very satisfying' and appreciated the support from not only Copeland and coach Trevor Bayliss but potential opening partner David Warner. 'It feels like my second home,' the 19-year-old said on Tuesday. The Big Bash deal comes after he was upgraded to a Cricket Australia central contract earlier this year. That show of faith was followed by a difficult Test tour of the West Indies, however, ensuring he will enter the home summer under pressure to keep his spot in the side. He will get his first chance to impress when he tours India with the Australia A side next month before the Sheffield Shield begins in October. 'I'm just trying to get better and be in the present moment, not getting too fazed about what other people say,' Konstas said. 'I have an inner circle that I trust so it's just best preparing and hopefully in future tours I can improve on my performances.' Konstas ended the Shield season last summer with back-to-back fifties but went backwards in the West Indies. He was out for a duck twice and registered just 50 runs in what were three relatively low-scoring Test matches. Konstas said those closest to him have continued to call for the opener to 'be himself' at the crease. 'It's just trusting what I think's right in that current moment,' he said. Leaning on Shane Watson upon returning home to reflect on his red-ball exploits, Konstas was back in the nets after just a week off. Four Shield matches loom large before Australia's Ashes squad is named. 'It's massive. It's going to be a big four games and I expect that,' he said. 'But for me it's just about being in the present moment, don't get too fixated on the outcome and be very process-driven in those games.'
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Sport
- Sky News AU
Rising star Konstas inks long-term Thunder deal with Warner plans
Sam Konstas opening the batting with David Warner, not Usman Khawaja, looms as a locked-in scenario at some stage during the Big Bash after the young star signed a monster four-year deal with the Sydney Thunder. Konstas' availability could be determined by his form in the early rounds of the Sheffield Shield, with his spot in the Test team for the Ashes a long way off being settled after a failed tour of the West Indies. But his stardom in the eyes of the next generation of cricket fans is unquestioned and the 19-year-old looms as a BBL drawcard whenever he plays, which will be alongside veteran star Warner when he does. 'I remember being a fan in the stands watching my heroes like Davey (Warner), Michael Hussey and Andre Russell play for Thunder, so to re-sign 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. 'One match that always stands out in the calendar is the Sydney Smash. When we beat the Sixers in the finals last season, I made sure to rub it in with a few of the Aussie boys who play for them. It's always competitive, and fun, and I'm sure it'll be a sellout this year.' 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,' Copeland said. 'Since I started in this role, it's been remarkable to watch Sam's progression. 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. 'Bring on the trophy this season, with Sam right there alongside Davey Warner and the boys lifting it up.' Originally published as Sam Konstas signs monster four-year deal with Sydney Thunder
