Who is Sam Konstas? Five points to know about Australian debutant ahead of Boxing Day Test

Here are five points to know about the Sam Konstas

Konstas brimming with confidence

Slotted in for his international debut at a time where the entire batting line-up has often failed to find the answers to the Kookaburra leaving Indian spearhead Jasprit Bumrah’s hands, Sam Konstas doesn’t seem too bothered by the challenge.

As a pack of reporters surrounded him near the sidelines of MCG, he mentioned very calmly that he has a few plans for the Indian bowlers, ones that would put the pressure back on them. His teammate from New South Wales, Sean Abbott told Fox: “The way he approaches the game, it does not bother him who he’s coming up against.”

All eyes on Boxing Day will be on the teenager that has made the headlines everyday since his call-up, and how he gears up to face the man who has troubled Australia this series, Jasprit Bumrah.

Where does this confidence come from?

Sam Konstas has always looked up to former Australia allrounder Shane Watson, and considers him to be his idol and mentor, whose family are set to fly to Melbourne. Shane Watson was the mental skills consultant for the New South Wales cricket team and has been by Sam Konstas’s side since he was 16. Watson also had a book released called ‘The Winner’s Mindset’ that spoke about how the allrounder’s simple process-driven mindset got his career back into light.

Konstas in First Class cricket

As a debut on one of Test cricket’s biggest stages beckons, Sam Konstas has got his performances in first-class cricket to back him up. While he has played merely 11 matches in first-class cricket, his numbers have been hard to ignore. He has gone into the middle 18 times, and has 718 runs to his name.

There have been hiccups in his first class career: not being able to register a half century in four innings earlier last month. But he has otherwise been consistent, scoring at an average of 42.23. He boasts a high score of 152 with two centuries and three half centuries to his name.

Sam Konstas scores a century for New South Wales (FILE)

Set to become one of the youngest debutants

When Konstas (19 years 85 days) puts his Baggy Green on for the first time on Thursday, he will become the fourth-youngest Australian to have ever put on that cap. This feat would see him behind Ian Craig (17 years and 239), his captain Pat Cummins (18 years 193 days) and Tom Garrett (18 years and 232 days).

What was defining moment for the teenager’s debut

Sam Konstas had arrived to the Australian cricket scenario when no one thought he would be making an entry into the international side. And then on October 11, Sam Konstas had twin centuries to his name in Sheffield Shield, and became the third-youngest player to achieve that feat. He then faced a drought of runs, but soon jumped back while playing for Prime Minister’s XI against India, where he scored a magnificent 107 of 97.