How did Sam Konstas prepare for his Test match debut? His brother reveals
Sam Konstas made a mark on his international debut for Australia with a 60-run knock in his first Test innings against India at the MCG in the Boxing Day Test.
After the teenager’s impressive debut, Sam Konstas’s older brother Billy revealed how he had prepared for the big clash against Kohli.
Before falling to Ravindra Jadeja, the teenager used a string of ramp shots to defy Jasprit Bumrah, one of the finest bowlers in the world, like few others have.
On Thursday morning, Mark Taylor gave the NSW opener his Baggy Green cap.
In an interview with Fox Cricket, Sam Konstas’ elder brother talked about the significance of the occasion for his family and how Sam was getting ready for the most important night of his career.
“I’m a physiotherap trade and he said ‘Billy, can I get a massage?’ and I asked him how many runs are you gonna score tomorrow?” Billy said.
“He told me ‘don’t worry, I will score a few’ … I looked after the young man and he seemed very relaxed.
“It’s been an unbelievable experience. Everyone was nervous walking into the ground, heart was pounding a bit.”
Before moving up to first-class cricket last year, Sam Konstas, who grew up playing for St George and more recently Sutherland, blazed through the grade cricket.
Sam Konstas probably learned how to play players like Bumrah easily at a young age when his father made a make in the nets.
“We were little kids and the first time dad took us to a bowling machine, he had it on 90 miles an hour thinking it was 90 kilometres,” Billy recalled.
“Dad fed the machine … and he hit it straight out of the middle.
“I think from the age of five or six years old, this has always been his dream. It’s a dream come true for all the family and feel very blessed and thank God for being here.”
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