Sam Konstas stakes claim for Test berth alongside all-time great Steve Smith
Teen prodigy Sam Konstas batted under the watchful eye of Steve Smith as momentum builds for his Test elevation this summer.
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Sam Konstas has impressed the best batsman in Australia, Steve Smith.
The boy wonder batted side-by-side with the all-time great at NSW training on Friday ahead of a highly-anticipated Sheffield Shield assignment against Victoria on Sunday, which could propel Konstas even deeper into the reckoning for a stunning Test debut against India.
Smith’s one-line observation as he walked out of the nets shouldn’t be interpreted as anything more than the first impression of one of the game’s keenest judges after sharing a net with the 19-year-old century-maker.
He certainly wasn’t giving any sort of appraisal of who he thinks should open for Australia this summer.
But Smith liked what he saw.
“He looks like he has time. He looks organised,” Smith commented as he exited the nets following a marathon session facing Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon.
Konstas didn’t actually face the Aussie bowling cartel on Friday as the skies didn’t clear in Sydney until after he had already finished all his batting indoors, but in its own way the session was still a major test of the teenager’s credentials.
It’s unlikely Konstas has ever seen a single camera at a NSW training session before, let alone having half a dozen media there to watch him – and him alone – and follow his every move.
Sunday’s clash against Scott Boland’s Vics at the MCG will even be broadcast on TV, with Fox Cricket and Kayo showing the game.
Selectors are watching Konstas closely and will be intrigued about how he handles the unique pressure he is now under going into Sunday, with his name on the lips of every cricket fan in the country.
Mitchell Starc, a veteran of 89 Tests has also got the feeling Konstas can handle whatever is coming at him with the spotlight on.
“There’s no reason not to. He’s obviously got the talent, got the work ethic. He’s a lovely young man,” Starc said.
“He will always come in and say hello and ask how your day is going, and then go about his business.
“He works his butt off in the nets, has got a world of talent, and that obviously translates into success on the field. Whatever he is doing is clearly working.
“Time will tell. If he’s not picked this summer then I am sure runs on the board will help him in the long run.
“I bowled to him the other day and once before the (recent) England tour. He looks pretty set in his game.
“Those runs in the Shield game (twin hundreds against South Australia) are only going to do him the world of good.
“Hopefully that translates into a big Shield season.
“If there are higher honours, fantastic. If not, hopefully he is scoring lots of runs for NSW.”
Konstas’ body language around the immortals of Australian cricket at NSW training is that of a calm, composed, respectful and mature young man who appears wise beyond his years.
It’s understood Konstas is slated to play in both Australia A matches against India A early next month, the first of which will be the final audition for Test hopefuls before the squad to play the series opener in Perth on November 22 is chosen.
If Konstas can score a third hundred next week against Victoria though, he may already have one hand on a dream baggy green cap.
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Originally published as Sam Konstas stakes claim for Test berth alongside all-time great Steve Smith
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