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Sam Konstas does not plan on watching too much footage of Jasprit Bumrah but the youngster is excited about going against the pace spearhead should he get the nod for a Test debut.
Sam Konstas could be Australia’s solution for their top-order woes. (Image: AFP)
After receiving his maiden international call-up ahead of Australia’s Boxing Day Test against India, Sam Konstas is now eager to go toe-to-toe against India’s pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah at the MCG.
Konstas who remains confident, does not plan on overpreparing by watching too much footage of the 31-year-old. During the youngster’s fine show of Prime Minister’s XI against India ahead of the pink ball Test, he did not have the opportunity to face Bumrah then, who was rested.
“’ I won’t watch too much (of Bumrah). I have already seen him a lot. But I am excited to challenge myself and face him. Usually, our analysts do a little feedback on each bowler. I might read that, maybe,” Konstas was quoted by Cricbuzz as saying.
Konstas’ call-up has come at the cost of Nathan McSweeney being left out. The latter had only made his Test debut in the series opener in Perth. The experiment has seemingly come to an end with McSweeney not being able to deliver in the past three Tests.
The youngster remains confident in his abilities and hopes to keep things simple and not let the occasion get the better of him in the fourth Border-Gavaskar Test in Melbourne.
“I’m super confident. Just backing my skills, I have done all the hard work. Just another game, I guess, and trying to keep it simple. As a kid, you have always dreamt of the moment, and it is very rare, to get your baggy green. So, it’s a huge honour if I do get in.”
He remains grateful for the opportunity should he get the nod to play and explained how he celebrated the call-up with his family and how proud he was to give back to the people who made it all possible for him.
“It was all a bit unexpected but very privileged to get the opportunity,” Konstas said. “I just had dinner with the family (to celebrate), pretty chilled. It was emotional, mum was crying … Everything has happened so fast,” Konstas said.
“Mum and dad and my brothers, all their sacrifices, taking me to training, throwing me balls, experiencing the journey through highs and lows. Just to give something back to them was very special. I can’t wait to have them in Melbourne for support,” he added.
