Teenager Konstas not out to prove himself ahead of West Indies return
Teenage batter Sam Konstas has vowed to take a more conventional approach than in his early test appearances for Australia after earning a recall to the team that will face the West Indies in the two nations' first test in Bridgetown from Wednesday.
The 19-year-old has been drafted into the side to replace opener Marnus Labuschagne, having made headlines with his outlandish shot selection and rapid scoring during his debut against India in Melbourne in the Boxing Day test.
"I still can't believe it," Konstas told Australian media when asked about his swashbuckling introduction to test cricket. "I don't know what was going through my mind at that time. I thought it was right in the moment. It was good fun.
"The emotions probably got to me with the crowd. It was good reflecting and having a bit of time off, trying to strengthen my game. Hopefully we get to win the next test match.
"I feel like I trust people that I work with and they understand my game. I'm not trying to prove to anyone how I'm going to play. I just want to be myself and obviously understand when to take the game on."
Konstas hit 60 runs in his debut innings and kept his place for the following test in Sydney as the Australians wrapped up a 3-1 series win over Virat Kohli and company.
He was included in the squad that travelled for a two-test series against Sri Lanka later in January, but was not selected for either match.
Konstas has earned a recall for the three-test series in the Caribbean due to Labuschagne's struggles with the bat, while Josh Inglis has also been recalled as a result of a finger injury sustained by Steve Smith.
"Obviously, it's a tough team to crack and (they have) got legends of the game in that team," Konstas said.
"Very excited for the opportunity, and hopefully I can grab it with both hands.
"I've been training really hard and I understand the reasons why they picked (other players in recent tests).
"I'm just trying to be in the present moment, trying to focus on a few key areas with my batting coach, and feel like I've come a long way. Hopefully, I can display that in the next few test matches.
"It's a dream come true, to be honest. Nineteen years old, playing for your country, travelling the world, getting to experience different cultures and against the best players as well. I'm lucky to be where I am."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
3 hours ago
- CNA
List of Super Rugby champions
SYDNEY :Super Rugby champions since the competition began in 1996 (home team in CAPS): Year Champions Runners-up Score 2025 CANTERBURY CRUSADERS Waikato Chiefs 16-12 2024 AUCKLAND BLUES Chiefs 41-10 2023 Crusaders CHIEFS 25-20 2022 Crusaders BLUES 21-7 2021 Local competitions due to COVID pandemic 2020 Local competitions due to COVID pandemic 2019 CRUSADERS Jaguares 19-3 2018 CRUSADERS Lions 37-18 2017 Crusaders LIONS 25-17 2016 WELLINGTON HURRICANES Lions 20-3 2015 Otago Highlanders HURRICANES 21-14 2014 NSW WARATAHS Crusaders 33-32 2013 CHIEFS ACT Brumbies 27-22 2012 CHIEFS Sharks 37-6 2011 QUEENSLAND REDS Crusaders 18-13 2010 BULLS Stormers 25-17 2009 BULLS Chiefs 61-172008 CRUSADERS Waratahs 20-12 2007 Bulls SHARKS 20-19 2006 CRUSADERS Hurricanes 19-12 2005 CRUSADERS Waratahs 35-25 2004 BRUMBIES Crusaders 47-382003 BLUES Crusaders 21-17 2002 CRUSADERS Brumbies 31-13 2001 BRUMBIES Sharks 36-6 2000 Crusaders BRUMBIES 20-19 1999 Crusaders HIGHLANDERS 24-19 1998 Crusaders BLUES 20-13 1997 BLUES Brumbies 23-7 1996 BLUES Sharks 45-21 Super 12 from 1996 Super 14 from 2006 Super Rugby (15 teams) from 2011 Super Rugby (18 teams) from 2016 Super Rugby (15 teams) from 2018 Super Rugby Pacific (12/11 teams) from 2022
Straits Times
6 hours ago
- Straits Times
Teenager Konstas not out to prove himself ahead of West Indies return
Teenager Konstas not out to prove himself ahead of West Indies return Teenage batter Sam Konstas has vowed to take a more conventional approach than in his early test appearances for Australia after earning a recall to the team that will face the West Indies in the two nations' first test in Bridgetown from Wednesday. The 19-year-old has been drafted into the side to replace opener Marnus Labuschagne, having made headlines with his outlandish shot selection and rapid scoring during his debut against India in Melbourne in the Boxing Day test. "I still can't believe it," Konstas told Australian media when asked about his swashbuckling introduction to test cricket. "I don't know what was going through my mind at that time. I thought it was right in the moment. It was good fun. "The emotions probably got to me with the crowd. It was good reflecting and having a bit of time off, trying to strengthen my game. Hopefully we get to win the next test match. "I feel like I trust people that I work with and they understand my game. I'm not trying to prove to anyone how I'm going to play. I just want to be myself and obviously understand when to take the game on." Konstas hit 60 runs in his debut innings and kept his place for the following test in Sydney as the Australians wrapped up a 3-1 series win over Virat Kohli and company. He was included in the squad that travelled for a two-test series against Sri Lanka later in January, but was not selected for either match. Konstas has earned a recall for the three-test series in the Caribbean due to Labuschagne's struggles with the bat, while Josh Inglis has also been recalled as a result of a finger injury sustained by Steve Smith. "Obviously, it's a tough team to crack and (they have) got legends of the game in that team," Konstas said. "Very excited for the opportunity, and hopefully I can grab it with both hands. "I've been training really hard and I understand the reasons why they picked (other players in recent tests). "I'm just trying to be in the present moment, trying to focus on a few key areas with my batting coach, and feel like I've come a long way. Hopefully, I can display that in the next few test matches. "It's a dream come true, to be honest. Nineteen years old, playing for your country, travelling the world, getting to experience different cultures and against the best players as well. I'm lucky to be where I am." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
CNA
7 hours ago
- CNA
Teenager Konstas not out to prove himself ahead of West Indies return
Teenage batter Sam Konstas has vowed to take a more conventional approach than in his early test appearances for Australia after earning a recall to the team that will face the West Indies in the two nations' first test in Bridgetown from Wednesday. The 19-year-old has been drafted into the side to replace opener Marnus Labuschagne, having made headlines with his outlandish shot selection and rapid scoring during his debut against India in Melbourne in the Boxing Day test. "I still can't believe it," Konstas told Australian media when asked about his swashbuckling introduction to test cricket. "I don't know what was going through my mind at that time. I thought it was right in the moment. It was good fun. "The emotions probably got to me with the crowd. It was good reflecting and having a bit of time off, trying to strengthen my game. Hopefully we get to win the next test match. "I feel like I trust people that I work with and they understand my game. I'm not trying to prove to anyone how I'm going to play. I just want to be myself and obviously understand when to take the game on." Konstas hit 60 runs in his debut innings and kept his place for the following test in Sydney as the Australians wrapped up a 3-1 series win over Virat Kohli and company. He was included in the squad that travelled for a two-test series against Sri Lanka later in January, but was not selected for either match. Konstas has earned a recall for the three-test series in the Caribbean due to Labuschagne's struggles with the bat, while Josh Inglis has also been recalled as a result of a finger injury sustained by Steve Smith. "Obviously, it's a tough team to crack and (they have) got legends of the game in that team," Konstas said. "Very excited for the opportunity, and hopefully I can grab it with both hands. "I've been training really hard and I understand the reasons why they picked (other players in recent tests). "I'm just trying to be in the present moment, trying to focus on a few key areas with my batting coach, and feel like I've come a long way. Hopefully, I can display that in the next few test matches. "It's a dream come true, to be honest. Nineteen years old, playing for your country, travelling the world, getting to experience different cultures and against the best players as well. I'm lucky to be where I am."
