Robert Craddock: Times column proves Sam Konstas is already under England’s skin

England are not quite sure what to make of Sam Konstas. That’s part of his charm and why opponents find him unsettling and irritating, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK.

As if Virat Kohli’s shoulder charge was not enough – now Sam Konstas has received an even more stinging shot.

The London Times’ Steve James, a former Glamorgan captain, Test batsman and renowned fair judge, made some fine points in his balanced 1600-word appraisal of Konstas explosive two Tests against India but the sting was in the tail.

In the closing paragraphs James confidently predicted English wonderboy Jacob Bethell would become a “much the better Test batsman than Konstas’’.

C’mon Steve. I know you’re better than that. But we get it. Konstasitis can do this to people.

When you consider Bethell has a weenyburger first class average of 29.35, has never made a first class century and has one score above 30 in seven Big Bash innings for the Melbourne Renegades this summer, that is quite a sledge, even given’s Bethell’s three Test 50s against New Zealand.

Times page with anti-Sam Konstas article

As evidenced by James’ piece, this much is clear – Konstas is already slipping under England’s skin and they haven’t even played them.

England are not quite sure what to make of Kontas which is not surprising because neither is Australia. And the absolute truth is that Konstas might still be wondering what to make of himself.

That’s part of his charm and why opponents find him unsettling and irritating.

England may be the home of Bazball but even James admits that Konstas’ “astonishing chutzpah’’ displayed in his first Test might even be beyond the reach and expectations of Bazball.

Konstas v England is shaping as a fascinating contest. The whisper is if Konstas is chosen he will be encouraged to be the free-spirited maverick that rattled India.

That will be interesting because some long-time Konstas watchers say that is not really him and one of the biggest gambles a player can make is to go beyond the bounds of their own personality.

It just feels like the Ashes are a powderkeg waiting to explode. Bring ‘em on.

Originally published as Robert Craddock: Times column proves Sam Konstas is already under England’s skin