Once you’ve been on adventures, fought bad guys, travelled through underground tunnels, and worked with secret organizations, life as you knew it afterwards feels boring, mundane, and heavy. Even the collective dopamine of all world’s pleasures wouldn’t be able to cheer you up. Sam Konstas lived the same dream for a grand total of two Test games.
He attempted a ramp shot against probably the best bowler across formats right now, Jasprit Bumrah, and actually pulled it off. He took him down for 18 runs in an over, something no one had ever done, and hit him for a six, which is a first for Bumrah in Tests since 2021. He had a run-in with a man umpteen times his stature in cricket (Virat Kohli). All of that on his first day in the office, which in itself was full of thrills. Konstas, a few months over 19 at the time, was handed a baggy green on Boxing Day. At the MCG. To open the innings. Against India.
As exhilarating as it was, the teenager’s rollercoaster lasted only two games before a tactical decision of slotting in Travis Head saw him out. Life returned to normal for him, but the normal he once knew had long departed. Konstas, though, is grateful for the time he got off to reflect on his game.
“It was my first few Test matches, and the emotions probably got to me with the crowd,” Sam Konstas said speaking to media in Barbados.“But having a bit of time off to reflect and strengthen my game has helped.”
He is in line to make a return for the Caribbean tour at the opening spot, with Marnus Labuschagne axed from the team. This means Australia’s opening conundrum, which began with David Warner’s retirement in January last year, might be close to being resolved. Konstas may seem like a reckless young kid who thinks cricket is just about dispatching every ball to the boundary, but the fact that he keeps a personal diary to reflect on each of his batting innings, and has been doing it since high school, paints an entirely different picture of him.
“The diary’s been important,” Konstas said. “Just reflecting on games, going back to my checkpoints, especially when you’re overseas. It helps me get grounded again.”
He is likely to open with Usman Khawaja during the West Indies tour. Konstas knows it’s a chance of a lifetime to play for one of the best sides of this era. He has big shoes to fill, but that becomes easier when you are rubbing shoulders with greats of the game.
“I’m just trying to control my breath and have a good relationship with my batting partner to talk about things and how to go through, especially heated moments, when the game changes,” he said.
“I always try to get advice from Uzi [Usman Khawaja], Marnus, Smith, just seeing how they go about things. I’m lucky to be around them, especially at 19. Playing for your country, travelling the world, it really is a dream come true.”
“For me, I just hope to grab an opportunity because it’s such a strong side. I’m very grateful for that.”
He tattooed his Test Cap Number, 468, on his forearm, and was quick to point out he had told his parents beforehand. For whatever it’s worth, it says a lot about who Konstas is.
