Sam Konstas ruined chance of 70-year cricket history vs West Indies

Sam Konstas’ nightmare tour of the West Indies sunk to a new low as Australia looked to rewrite the Test cricket record books.

Sam Konstas’ nightmare series against the West Indies went from bad to worse as Australia wrapped up the third Test in dominant scenes on Tuesday.

Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland tore the heart out of their opponents as they rolled the West Indies for only 27 runs.

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Despite the shockingly low total, the Aussies could have rewritten the Test cricket record books if not for two Konstas mistakes.

The blunders by the 19-year-old helped the West Indies avoid New Zealand’s historic low of 26 runs that was recorded back in 1955.

In the sixth over of the innings and with the West Indies sitting at 6/12, Starc could only watch on as another wicket went begging.

A thick edge off the bat of Alzarri Joseph flew towards the slip cordon where Konstas moved to his right but couldn’t hold onto the fast moving chance as it bounced off his palm.

Joseph survived another opportunity in the 12th over, with the West Indies at 6/26, again off the bowling of Starc with Konstas once again in the firing line.

A perfect delivery from Starc caught the outside edge of Joseph’s bat and sailed towards Konstas at third slip.

This time the teenager got both hands to the pink ball, but it once again bounced out of his grasp and over his head.

He attempted to scramble and haul it in but it wasn’t to be as the ball hit the turf in front of his hands.

If the two dropped catches weren’t enough, Konstas’ day got even worse when he failed to stop a ball that allowed the West Indies to avoid tying New Zealand’s historically low score of 26.

A delivery from Starc once again came off the outside edge of Joseph, this time however it stayed along the ground.

Unfortunately Konstas made a mess of the situation with the ball going straight through his hands and opening the door for Joseph to scurry through for a quick single.

Cameron Green instantly threw his hands on his head as Starc was left shaking his head at the misfield as the West Indies moved to 27 runs.

The blunders by Konstas left cricket fans watching on all making the same joke as many pointed to New Zealand being infuriated by the teen’s dropped catches as the Kiwis remained in cricket’s record books.

Jamie Wall wrote on X: “Almost a great day for NZ cricket. Almost.”

NZ’s Alternative Commentary Collective wrote: “Sam Konstas owes New Zealand an apology!”

The Caribbean Cricket Podcast wrote: “Sam Konstas is a West Indian hero. Dropped 2 catches so we dont break the record for lowest ever Test score. Build that man a statue at every ground in the Caribbean.”

New Zealand’s Michael Appleton wrote: "Sadly, it seems like Sam Konstas’ biggest contribution in this Test series is to break the hearts of @BLACKCAPS’ fans with a drop and a miss.”

Konstas reacts after putting down the second opportunity off the bowling of Starc.

The misfield that ultimately helped the West Indies avoid the historic low.

Konstas’ nightmare day in the field comes after he failed to fire with the willow in a series that saw him accumulate only 50 runs across six innings.

The 19-year-old had one final chance to impress selectors in the second innings but his time at the crease was short lived.

A Shamar Joseph delivery outside of off stump lured Konstas in with a nothing shot as the ball caught the outside edge and sailed into the hands of Roston Chase at gully.

After only five balls Konstas was on his way back to the dressing rooms for a duck.

His series average of 8.33 is the lowest batting average for an Australian opener in a Test tour of the West Indies since 1984.

The lowly display left Aussie cricket fans calling for the youngster to be dropped from the team and send back to Sheffield Shield to develop his game.

Despite Konstas’ struggles, Australia wrapped up a 3-0 series sweep against the West Indies.

Originally published as Sam Konstas ruined chance of 70-year cricket history vs West Indies