Last Updated:December 27, 2024, 17:38 IST

Steve Smith and Nathan Lyon were in awe of Sam Konstas’ attitude and confidence on Boxing Day debut.

Sam Konstas in action [Photo: AP]

Australia batter Steve Smith said he felt like ‘having a heart attack’ when Sam Konstas reverse-ramped Indian vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah on his Test debut on Thursday. Smith, who scored a brilliant 140 (197) in the same innings, was in awe of how unfazed the 19-year-old was on Boxing Day against the world’s top-ranked Test bowler.

Konstas tried multiple ramps and reverse ramps against Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj from the get-go and managed to hit six boundaries and a couple of sixes to get Australia off to a flier. His 34 runs against Bumrah were the most by a batter in one Test spell from the pacer. He was eventually dismissed for 60 (65), which came at a strike rate of 92.31.

“I don’t think much fazes the young kid, as so we saw yesterday. He was reverse-ramping Bumrah for a six and I was having a heart attack up in the box. But look, I thought it was all good. No stress,” Smith said after the second day’s play.

In the evening, off-spinner Nathan Lyon also spoke about his interaction with Konstas before his baggy cap presentation where he came to him and said the Boxing Day Test seemed like a ‘grade game’ to him.

“Me and Starcy were warming up out here yesterday before the baggy cap presentation,” Lyon told ABC Sport. “He came and sat down next to both of us and went, ‘Lads, when you reckon the nerves are gonna kick in?’ I am like, ‘Oh’ and he goes, ‘This honestly just feels like a grade game.’ So, I said, ‘I don’t know what grade game you play with 90,000 people here’ but that just shows how naive he’s in my eyes.”

“I don’t know about you guys but it was a lot different on my debut. I think that’s just being 19 and being a little bit naive. He’s obviously got great energy and I don’t think he really understands the enormity of Boxing Day Test and a Baggy Green just yet.”

Konstas’ platform and Smith’s century helped Australia to a huge total of 474/10. In response, India sparkled for a bit but fizzled by Stumps, ending the day at 164/5.

Location :

Melbourne, Australia