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Steve Smith had a hilarious reaction to Sam Konstas’ fearless batting against India, as revealed by Mitchell Starc.
Sam Konstas’ fearless batting had Steve Smith shaken up. (Image: AP)
Australia pace-bowling veteran Mitchell Starc has revealed that Steve Smith was a little shaken up by Sam Konstas’ fearless batting approach in the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The 19-year-old batter replaced Nathan McSweeney in the fourth Test of the five-match bilateral series against India. He took the Boxing Day Test by storm, playing numerous unorthodox shots against Jasprit Bumrah on Day 1. Starc opened up about the youngster’s knock in Melbourne and said that Smith couldn’t fully come to grips with that quick-fire batting approach. “He [Steve Smith] found it bizarre and later said ‘I’m done, cricket has passed me, I’m too old for this,” Starc said during a Backstage podcast chat with Cooper and Matty Johns, as per The Daily Mail.
Sam Konstas was a force to be reckoned with during the opening day of the Melbourne Test. The young batter scored 60 runs in 65 deliveries while smashing six fours and two sixes. It helped the hosts set up a massive 474 total in the first innings. Speaking further about the knock, Mitchell Starc explained that the whole dressing room was stunned by Konstas’ performance. “It was quite something. For when he [Konstas] started doing it [ramp shots] we were all like ‘What is going on here? ‘what is this kid doing’? Basically everyone was quickly on board…..bar one player. Steve Smith,” he said.
India and Australia headed into the Melbourne Test with the series levelled at 1-1. Sam Konstas’ breathtaking batting display made an impact as Australia edged out their rivals by 184 runs. He added another 45 runs in the Sydney Test to help the Aussies win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1. While Konstas brought a bit of fresh air to his team’s top order, it wasn’t enough to guarantee his place in the playing XI during the ongoing Sri Lanka tour. The 19-year-old batter was dropped for the opening Test in Galle.
Australia skipper Pat Cummins’ absence from the two-match series Sri Lanka series saw Steve Smith promoted to the captain’s role. The Aussies went with Travis Head and Usman Khawaja as the team’s openers at the Galle International Stadium on Day 1. The decision worked out in the World Test Championship 2023/25 finalists’ favour as the Aussie duo formed a 92-run unbeaten partnership. After 55 overs of play, Australia added 248 runs on the scoreboard in Galle at a loss of two wickets.
