December 25, 2024: Ahead of his highly anticipated debut in the fourth Test against India, Australian skipper Pat Cummins shared a heartfelt and encouraging message for 19-year-old Sam Konstas, urging him to enjoy the occasion and not get bogged down by the pressure of playing in such a high-profile match. The Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is one of the most iconic fixtures in world cricket, and for Konstas, who has garnered significant attention after his stellar performances at the domestic level, it marks the beginning of what promises to be a bright international career.
Cummins, reflecting on his own debut for Australia back in November 2011, recalled the excitement and sense of wonder he felt stepping into the big stage. In his pre-match press conference, Cummins shared that he could relate to Konstas’ current emotions, having been in a similar situation himself as an 18-year-old debutant against South Africa. “It was pretty awesome,” Cummins said. “I spent a bit of time wondering why, or how, I was there, and how it happened so quickly. I just remember being really excited.”
The Australian captain emphasized the importance of keeping things simple for the young debutant, recalling the “level of naivety” he himself had at the time. “You just want to go out and play like you do when you’re a kid in the backyard. You just want to take the game on, have fun, and not overthink it,” Cummins advised. He added that his message to Konstas was clear: embrace the moment, enjoy the game, and let things unfold naturally. “Once the game started, you go into game mode, and it’s just like any other game.”
Cummins also reflected on how, as an 18-year-old, he felt an unspoken sense of leeway when it came to performances. He humorously admitted that he secretly thought, “If I didn’t have a great game, it was not my fault – it was the selectors’ fault for picking me!” He laughed, “I was like, ‘Well, they’re the idiots that picked an 18-year-old!’ You’re so young starting out your career—it’s Boxing Day, it doesn’t get any better than this. So just enjoy the moment.”
Konstas, the rising star who played a key role in Australia’s 2024 ICC U19 World Cup victory, enters the Test arena with significant domestic credentials. The talented batter has been in sensational form for New South Wales, scoring 471 runs in five Sheffield Shield matches at an average of 58.87, which includes two centuries and a best score of 152. He also made a strong impression during Australia’s preparation for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, notably smashing a superb 107 off 97 balls in a warm-up pink-ball match against India.
With all eyes on him, Konstas will face a formidable Indian attack, led by the world-class pacer Jasprit Bumrah, as both teams battle for a crucial 2-1 series lead. But as Cummins has wisely advised, the key for Konstas will be to keep the excitement of the occasion in check and approach the game with the same carefree attitude he had as a young player in his backyard.
The Boxing Day Test promises to be an unforgettable experience for the young debutant, and with the full support of his teammates—including the wisdom of a skipper like Pat Cummins—Konstas will be looking to make his mark in one of cricket’s most prestigious arenas.
