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Sam Konstas expressed how his parents got emotional, when hearing the news of his maiden international call-up.
Sam Konstas recieved his maiden international call-up ahead of Australia’s fourth Test against India. (Image: X)
After the Australian selectors revealed that the 19-year-old opening batter, Sam Konstas would be getting his maiden Test call-up midway into the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, the youngster expressed how his parents got emotional, when hearing the news.
The 19-year-old has had a quick rise to the top after being a part of Australia’s title-winning team in the ICC U19 World Cup, where they beat India. He also made his first-class debut in November 2023.
His first BBL appearance saw him smash a quickfire 56 in 27 balls for the Sydney Thunder in addition to his impressive knock against India in the warm-up game with the Prime Minister’s 11, before the pink-ball Test in Adelaide.
“I was in the nets and I got the call from George Bailey, he told me I was in the Test squad so I called my parents straight away, they were very emotional. I’ll meet up with the team tomorrow and go from there,” said Konstas to BBL’s broadcasters mid-game.
“Mum was in tears, I was trying not to cry and Dad was super proud. It’s been an amazing journey with all the ups and downs so I’m very grateful for this,” he added.
With Konstas coming in, it meant that Nathan McSweeney, who made his debut during the first Test at Perth, had been excluded from the squad, which left the latter ‘devastated’.
But the experiment to try the 25-year-old at the top of the order did not succeed as he failed to go past the 10-run park five out of the six times he walked out to bat.
“Yeah, I am devastated, I got the dream come true and then didn’t quite work the way I wanted. But it’s all part of it and I’ll get my head down and get back in the nets and work hard and hopefully be ready to go for the next opportunity,” McSweeney told Channel 7
“It’s the game we’re in. If you don’t take an opportunity and you’re not performing as well as you want to, your position’s never safe. So I missed out a few times with the bat and unfortunately wasn’t able to take my opportunity but as I said I’ll work really to make sure that if the opportunity comes round again I’m ready,” he added.
