19-year-old Sam Konstas impresses with bold ramp shots and confident strokeplay, earning praise from senior pro Steven Smith.
Melbourne [Australia], December 27: Australian veteran batter Steven Smith showered praise on 19-year-old Sam Konstas after the youngster’s fearless batting display against India’s ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Konstas, called into the squad in place of Nathan McSweeney, had the daunting task of opening against one of the world’s most formidable bowling attacks in front of a packed MCG crowd. Despite the pressure, the teenager showed remarkable composure and flair, especially when he executed a daring ramp shot off Bumrah, sending ripples of excitement through the Australian fans.
In the post-day press conference, Steven Smith expressed his admiration for the young batter’s confidence and bold approach.
“I don’t think much phases the young kid. As we said yesterday, he was reverse ramping Bumrah, and I was having a heart attack in the box,” Smith said with a smile.
He further added, “For a kid to start playing such shots against arguably one of the best bowlers to play the game shows some serious confidence and real courage. It swung the momentum in our favour.”
Konstas’ innings was a mix of aggression and finesse, and his approach allowed Australia to maintain dominance against India’s bowling unit. His fearless strokeplay not only earned him the respect of his teammates but also made him an instant favorite among the home crowd.
The young batter scored an impressive 60 off 65 balls, laying a solid foundation for Australia to post a commanding total of 474 in their first innings.
With the Australian bowlers capitalizing on the momentum, India found themselves struggling at 164/5 by the end of Day 2, still trailing by a significant margin.
As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series continues, Sam Konstas’ promising debut performance is sure to remain a talking point and a beacon of hope for Australian cricket’s future.
