Former Test opener Chris Rogers has backed Sam Konstas to find consistency with the bat

A former Australia Test opener has urged patience in teenager Sam Konstas after his divisive Sheffield Shield performance for New South Wales.

Former Australia Test opener Chris Rogers says teen tyro Sam Konstas will find the balance between his wild ways and the consistency needed to thrive at Test level in time declaring “he’s so talented” having seen both versions of the young opener this week.

Konstas played a divisive first innings for NSW against the Rogers-coached Victoria at the SCG which included reverse-ramping the second ball of the game for four before he was bowled by fellow Test man Scott Boland trying to play a slog sweep on just his seventh ball.

Rogers, who saw attacking opening up the other end during his 25 Tests watching David Warner bat, suggested adrenaline could have played a part in Konstas attacking mood.

But he trusted the 19-year-old, who played two Tests against India this summer, would find his feet with more cricket.

“It’s interesting because I know a couple of boys who have been around him said he doesn’t typically want to play like that,” he said.

“I wonder if it’s he just gets into the contest, his heart rate goes up and he makes these decisions a little bit on the fly but I really don’t know.

“Being an opening batter you probably want to be as consistent as possible with your approach, I like the fact he at times decides to put pressure back on the bowlers and tries to change the game.

Sam Konstas wore a barrage of criticism after his first innings dismissal to Scott Boland. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

“For him it’s working out the calculated risk he wants to take but he’s got such a big future, he’s so talented, even when he was playing in the second innings he looked assured.

“I think the more he plays, he’s probably only played 14 first-class games, the more he plays he’s going to understand what his style is and be able to deal with the pressures of first class cricket.”

Boland, who dismissed Konstas in both innings on his way to 10 wickets for the match, was tight-lipped about his Aussie teammate’s approach but said he hadn’t seen 0-30 off two overs in a Sheffield Shield match before.

“Not second ball of the game,” he laughed, in response to being reverse-ramped early.

“I am not sure, clearly it’s up to him about he wants to bat.”

Konstas will be back in action on Sunday for NSW in a one-day game, coming off a century in his last 50-over match.

Originally published as Former Test opener Chris Rogers has backed Sam Konstas to find consistency with the bat