Sam Konstas credits mental training after recording a breakthrough century in Sheffield Shield
Sam Konstas has produced the best possible response to being overlooked for Australia A’s clash with England Lions, scoring arguably his best Shield hundred for New South Wales.
Sam Konstas conceded it has been “tough” dealing with the mental challenges around potential Australian selection after the opener finally bounced back to form with a dominant century in the Sheffield Shield on Friday.
The 20-year-old had only passed 50 once this season across all formats and saw his spot in the pecking order for the Test team drop further after Matthew Renshaw and Campbell Kellaway were preferred for the Australia A match against the England Lions.
However, Konstas responded in the best possible way, bringing up just his fourth first-class century, and his first at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Against an undermanned Queensland bowling attack, Konstas produced a composed innings of 116 off 185 deliveries, including nine boundaries and one six.
When he brought up his century, he celebrated by pointing to his head and looking to the stands. With five Test matches to his name, Konstas said it was a tribute to the mental work he has put in over the past 12 months following his whirlwind Australian debut on Boxing Day.
“It was very rewarding, especially with the last few weeks,” Konstas said. “It does a lot with my confidence, I’ve been training really hard with Shippy (Greg Shipperd) and Shane Watson, just having clarity and continuing to learn my game.
“(The celebration was about) my mental aspect, I guess. It’s a great reward for me training hard, and them believing in me as well.
“It’s been tough, obviously. I’m not making teams that I want to. It’s been a great learning curve at my age. Very lucky to have great support in my inner group…allowing me to play cricket and enjoying it most importantly.”
A key part of the mental work for Konstas has been tuning out the noise.
While many former Australian greats have given him unsolicited advice on how he should improve his game, Konstas wants to learn that for himself.
And while he’s found some of the quips about his ramp shots amusing, he conceded that his impressive century against Queensland came on the back of solid stroke play.
“(It’s) a little bit funny,” he said.
“I think everyone has their opinions, but for me, I’m just grateful for playing cricket, and that’s what I love doing.
“(I’m) 20 years old, just trying to get better. I’m lucky enough to have good support around me and trust the people that I work with.
“Today was just good shots, to be honest. It was a nice batting wicket, and yeah, lucky enough to get a few runs.
“I think it’s all part of being an athlete. You’re going to fail more than you succeed, and especially like today, just make sure I cash in, and hopefully moving forward, I can have a bit of momentum and score more runs.”
Konstas conceded he was looking forward to putting his feet up and watching the Aussies pile the runs on England after his long-awaited century. He even inadvertently put a jinx on his Test rivals’ milestone chances at the Gabba.
“Love watching the Test. I saw (Jake) Weatherald was on 50, so hopefully he can get his first 100,” Konstas said at almost the exact moment the opener was trapped LBW by Jofra Archer.
But his focus remains on helping NSW back into form, with Konstas saying he had “not really” heard from the Australian coaching set-up about what he needs to do to put himself back into Test contention outside of scoring consistent runs.
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Originally published as Sam Konstas credits mental training after recording a breakthrough century in Sheffield Shield
