- Title: Unfazed Teenager Konstas excited for test debut against India
- Date: 23rd December 2024
- Summary: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (DECEMBER 23, 2024) (ANI - No use India, no use digital) VARIOUS OF AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS PRACTICING IN NETS (SOUNDBITE) (English) AUSTRALIAN CRICKETER, SAM KONSTAS, SAYING: "Yeah, it's a huge honour. I think as a kid I've always dreamt of it, and yeah, I think for me, trying to keep it as simple as possible, get my prep well, and see what happens." VARIOUS OF AUSTRALIAN TEAM PRACTICING IN NETS AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS INCLUDING TRAVIS HEAD AND MITCHELL STARC WALKING AROUND DURING PRACTICE SESSION (SOUNDBITE) (English) AUSTRALIAN CRICKETER, SAM KONSTAS, SAYING: "It's happened really quick, to be honest. I wasn't too fazed about it but I feel like I'm a pretty relaxed person, and yeah, just trying to live in the moment." AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS TALKING DURING PRACTICE AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS PRACTICING IN NETS AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS STRETCHING (SOUNDBITE) (English) AUSTRALIAN CRICKETER, SAM KONSTAS, SAYING: "I think it's just another day for me. Obviously, it's a bit more special. I've got my parents coming. Pretty simple, just back myself and just 'see ball, hit ball' really." STARC STRETCHING DURING PRACTICE SESSION AUSTRALIAN TEAM PRACTICE SESSION IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) AUSTRALIAN CRICKETER, SAM KONSTAS, SAYING: "Yeah, I admire Shane Watson a lot. I think I like to take the game on and put pressure on the bowlers, so I think he's a legend of the game and hopefully I can do that this week if I debut." VARIOUS OF AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS PRACTICING IN NETS
- Embargoed: 6th January 2025 09:14
- Keywords: Australia India Melbourne Sam Konstas cricket test
- Location: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
- Reuters ID: LVA001899423122024RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Sam Konstas does not yet know whether he will make his debut in the cauldron of the fourth test against India on Thursday (December 26) but the Australian teenager says some advice from former opener Shane Watson will hold him in good stead if he does.
The 19-year-old's parents will be at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Dec. 26 along with 59-test all-rounder Watson and his wife Lee, who manages Konstas, to support the youngster if he gets handed his baggy green cap.
Brought into the squad as a replacement for the peremptorily dumped makeshift opener Nathan McSweeney, Konstas said the advice from Watson about facing the likes of Jasprit Bumrah had been fairly straightforward.
"Just another day at it, back myself and be fearless," Konstas recalled when he spoke to reporters on Monday (December 23).
"I admire Shane Watson a lot. I like to take the game on and put pressure on the bowlers.
"He's a legend of the game and hopefully I can do that this week on my debut. It's pretty simple - just back myself and just 'see ball, hit ball' really."
Konstas has been in prolific form in first class cricket this season, including a century against an Indian selection in the tour match in Canberra and a 73 against India "A" on his last visit to the MCG.
"It's a huge honour, as a kid I've always dreamed of it," he added.
"I'm trying to keep it as simple as possible, get my prep right and see what happens."It's happened really quick ... I wasn't too fazed. But I feel like I'm a pretty relaxed person and I'm just trying to live in the moment."
After Australia's top order struggled for runs in the first three tests of a series that remains in the balance at 1-1, a huge wave of momentum built up behind the case for Konstas' call-up to the team.
(Production: Iain Axon) - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2024. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None