Smith all praises for young Sam Konstas as he showcases grit and confidence | Cricket News
It did not take long for Sam Konstas to show what his plan was against Jasprit Bumrah. The teenager had spoken about a plan to deal with India’s pace spearhead at the pre-match press conference. He failed in execution when he tried to ramp Bumrah for the first time on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. But after a few attempts, he started to connect those ramp shots for boundaries which took Bumrah and Indian think-tank surprise.
“He was reverse ramping Bumrah and I was having a heart attack up in the box,” said Steven Smith at the end of second day’s play of the fourth Test. “And then for a kid to have the confidence to start lapping and reverse lapping arguably one of the best bowlers that have played the game, shows some serious confidence in the kid and real courage.”
Smith added: “The unusual approach from Konstas negated Bumrah’s threat against the new ball for the Aussies as India had to alter their plans. So, yeah, it sort of swung momentum our way. You know, I think you saw when he got picked, George (George Bailey) and Ron (Andrew McDonald) said they wanted to see something different, show something different to the new ball, and we certainly saw that, and it worked out really well for us yesterday.”
The treatment of India’s pace spearhead did seem to get under the skins of some players of the visiting team as Virat Kohli shoulder-barged into the teenager.
When asked how the incident had affected Konstas, Steve Smith responded: “I don’t think much fazes the young kid.”
What did Konstas say about the Kohli incident?
“Virat Kohli is your favourite player in the world and all of a sudden you are in the thick of battle out there, he throws a little shoulder. What was being said out there?,” asked Trent Copeland after Day 1.
Konstas replied: “I think the emotions got to both of us. I didn’t quite realise, I was doing my gloves. And then a little shoulder charge. But it happens, it’s cricket.”
Why should you buy our Subscription?
You want to be the smartest in the room.
You want access to our award-winning journalism.
You don’t want to be misled and misinformed.
Choose your subscription package
