Former Australian batter David Warner heaped praises on the debutant Sam Konstas for his fearless approach against India’s dangerous pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
The 19-year-old established a perfect tone on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test with his fiery maiden half-century, motivating other batters to compile huge scores. As a result, the hosts secured a massive 184-run victory in the 4th test and took a lead of 2-1 in the 5-match test series.
Warner was mainly concerned about the lack of intent of the senior players in the lineup, comparing the young and inexperienced cricketers’ abilities to set the tone for Australia’s top order.
Replacing Nathan McSweeney in the playing XI, Konstas scored a 65-ball-60 run knock that included 6 fours and 2 sixes at a batting strike rate of 92.31. Out of those 60 runs, the right-handed batter amassed 34 runs by facing 33 deliveries against Bumrah, smashing 4 fours and 2 sixes.
The national team selectors were attracted by the all-rounder’s batting performance for the Prime Minister’s XI against India in the day-night warm-up match. However, his stunning debut for Sydney Thunders in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2024 guaranteed his spot as an opener in the national team.
Konstas was Fearless, But Other Batters Could Have Shown the Same Approach: David Warner’s Opinion
David Warner’s statement shows that he was impressed with Konstas’s aggressive approach in his test debut:
“Excellent! It was indeed a very special knock from him (Sam Konstas). Even though people are ready to criticize him, I say it was the nature of the beast’s performance. When a formidable bowler like Jasprit Bumrah is bowling to you, trying and executing the best shots matters a lot. This is what exactly he put forward in the Prime Minister’s XI, proving the immense talent he has”, David Warner expressed his thoughts.
While Warner was fascinated with Konstas’ valiant knock, he lamented the lack of bold approach from seasoned batters while facing Bumrah:
“See! He (Sam) has shown bravery batting at the top order. But what about the others? You guys have played more than 50 matches and could have been brave.
The veteran batters could have tried playing innovative shots or should have attempted moving out of the crease and batted with a different strategy. Smudge (Steve Smith’s nickname) tried millions of new things. However, it shouldn’t be necessary for someone to be brave or make a big effort to initiate progress or shift momentum,” David Warner said.
Furthermore, David Warner highlights Travis Head’s intent against a highly skilled bowler by appreciating his game-changing century in the Adelaide Test:
Exactly! You have experienced players at the top order and in the entire line-up. Just look at the way how Travis Head completely took away the game from the visitors’ control in Adelaide with a stellar ton. The team shouldn’t rely particularly on just one player to come and perform the role. It’s the way the Australians have played, but other players in the squad can step up and show bravery,” Warner added.
Konstas vs Bumrah in Boxing Day Test BGT 2024-25
It is noteworthy to know that Konstas attained a rare feat by becoming the first batter to hit a six against Bumrah’s bowling since 2021 the Australian all-rounder Cameron Green cleared the ball above the ropes at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
The young opener wasn’t afraid to challenge the Indian veteran pacer and smashed 34 runs in his first spell. It includes scoring a maximum of 14 and 18 runs in the 7th and 11th over of the match, which is the most by any batter against the Indian vice captain’s single over.
How Konstas Influenced Australian Batting Line Up in the Boxing Day Test BGT 2024-25?
The brave, unorthodox shots and skilled footwork of Sam Konstas left Jasprit Bumrah puzzled on Day 1 of the Boxing Day test. His first international half-century created multiple opportunities for the rest of the batting unit, bolstering the team’s first innings total to 474 in 122.4 overs:
- Usman Khawaja scored his first fifty-plus score of the test series, accumulating 57 runs out of 121 balls — including 6 fours.
- Marnus Labuschagne thanked Konstas for altering his style of play, scoring 72 runs out of 145 balls — including 7 fours.
- Steve Smith smashing 11th test ton against India, which is the most by any batter, surpassing Joe Root’s record (10 test centuries vs India). He scored 140 runs out of 197 balls — 13 fours and 3 sixes.
- Pat Cummins showed strength of character by scoring 49 runs out of 63 balls — including 7 fours, batting at the lower order at a strike rate of 77.78.
Sam Konstas Noteworthy Performance for Prime Minister’s XI in 2-day Warm up Match vs India BGT 2024-25
Batting at the opening spot for the Prime Minister’s XI in the pink ball warm-up match, Sam Konstas proved his worth as a top-order batter by scoring a 97-ball-107 run knock, smashing 14 fours and 1 six at a strike rate of 110.31.
Finally, India won the 2-day practice game by 6 wickets. But, the spin bowling all-rounder’s performance forced selectors to reconsider their decision to include him in Australia’s test squad as a replacement for Nathan McSweeney, who failed to replicate his white ball success in the longest game format.
David Warner and Sam Konstas Special Bonding in BBL 2024
Marking his debut for David Warner’s led Sydney Thunders in the ongoing BBL 2024, Sam Konstas exceeded the captain’s expectations by scoring 27-ball-56 runs, smashing 8 fours and 2 sixes at a strike rate of 207.41.
Possibly, Warner might have noticed the vintage version of his batting skills in the 19-year-old all-rounder, whose valuable half-century gave a solid start to the team chasing a target of 183. Although Konstas departed after the powerplay overs, he set a platform for other batters to play quickfire knocks. Following the young batter’s approach, Daniel Sams’s 18-ball-42 runs (including 4 fours and 3 sixes) propelled Sydney Thunders to the winning total by securing a 2-wicket victory.
Final Opinion:
Overall, David Warner wasn’t satisfied with the experienced batter’s approach against Bumrah, who bagged 9 wickets in the Boxing Day Test and achieved his 200th test wicket in the form of Travis Head’s dismissal.
Moreover, it is noteworthy that the former left-handed veteran batter who scored 8,786 runs in 205 test innings was stunned by a 19-year-old’s first international fifty rather than praising Steve Smith’s mind-blowing record of 11 test centuries against India.
However, in Australia’s second innings, the tailender Nathan Lyon followed the batting style of Sam Konstas by showing a true battle spirit with his 55-ball-41-run knock (including 5 fours) that completely masked the Indian bowlers’ domination.
Finally, Konstas’s sensational debut sends a message to the cricket world that a young, talented all-rounder is gearing up to become the future star of the Australian cricket team.
