A few years down the road, Christmas Eve used to mean backyard cricket with his brother. Now, 19-year-old Australian Sam Konstas has ideas for putting up a resistance against the most deadly fast bowler in the world, Jasprit Bumrah, in the Boxing Day Test against India. The five-test series is tied 1-1. ‘I do have a plan for Bumrah but I am not going to tell what it is. Trying to put pressure back on bowlers,’ said Konstas to the media on Monday before his much-awaited Test debut which is just three days away.
Bumrah was the bane of Nathan McSweeney, Konstas’s predecessor for the opening slot, who just about echoed the same for the fast bowler, managing to get dismissed four out of five times by the premier bowler in the course of three Tests.
Bumrah never played in the Indian attack during the two warm-up matches that Konstas managed to get runs in. So, whom apart from Bumrah really stood out? “They’re all very good bowlers … world-class looking forward for an experience of that challenge and living that,” he would not give away anything.
Konstas had a cheeky smile when asked how Christmas Eve used to be few years back. “Used to play backyard cricket with my brother and loads of food and coming over soon for Christmas,” he said. “It is wonderful to be awarded opportunities at my age; it is a dream come true to represent my nation,” he added. All of Konstas’ family members will be present at ‘G’ on the biggest day of his life.
“It is indeed a special occasion for me, parents are coming in, and the plan is more or less–stay for a while and enjoy,” said he.
Tennis player Mark Phillippoussis is the first and only renowned Australian international sportsperson of Greek descent and now since Aus has been an overtime melting pot of all kinds in its sporting teams, Konstas might just be that second.
“Somehow it’s a special feeling and sacrifices, they have made to take me from watching games of cricket, high and low, just to give anything back to them is special,” said a slightly emotional Konstas when talking about how the family reacted.
He had played at MCG for New South Wales when local hero Scott Boland got him out.
“It’s a different wicket from when I played earlier. Bowler friendly but playing at the MCG on sell out Boxing Day is a dream come true.” His game has reminded a lot of people about Shane Watson and with two good innings against India A and the senior team, including a hundred in a pink ball practice match, he is ready to be the aggressor.
“I don’t look too much on social media but would take that as a compliment,” he seemed a bit shy as he spoke
“I learned a lot from Shane Watson and would try to make things difficult for the bowlers. He is a legend of the game, and hopefully this week, I can do that on my debut.”
