Pat Cummins delivers verdict on Sam Konstas, under-fire for his ‘reckless’ Shield dismissals

Test captain Pat Cummins has given his verdict on Sam Konstas, and feels the young star’s fearless mindset is a rare and precious commodity for Australian cricket.

Test captain Pat Cummins has given Sam Konstas his emphatic endorsement and feels the young star’s fearless mindset is a rare and precious commodity.

Konstas attracted criticism for a reckless dismissal facing Australian fast bowler Scott Boland in the Sheffield Shield this week, but Cummins has come out in support of the 19-year-old and declared he remains firmly in the frame for a start in June’s World Test Championship Final at Lord’s.

Cummins said Konstas’ bravery to take the game on and follow his instincts is a trait that should be fostered rather than condemned and gave the new it-man of Australian cricket the strongest possible backing to make mistakes and learn on the job.

“This is still his first full professional season. For any guy starting out to perform like he has is incredible,” Cummins said ahead of a Prime Video watch party he will host for cricket fans at Mountain Culture in Redfern for Australia’s opening Champions Trophy clash against England on Saturday night.

Sam Konstas and skipper Pat Cummins celebrate victory in the Boxing Day Test. Picture: Getty Images

“Like any young player, any cricketer really, you’re going to have moments where you don’t get it quite right and moments where you nail it.

“When you’re young, that’s the art. You’ve got to try to find out as quick as you can what suits your game the best.

“He has been really impressive.

“He seems like a fast learner. He loves absorbing.

“From all around him, I’d much rather a player err on the aggressive and over-confident side rather than sitting back and letting the game dictate to him.

“Sammy is good. I’m sure he’ll keep learning like every other young player starting out their career. There will be things to learn, but really happy with how he’s going.”

Sam Konstas' audacious shot

Cummins acknowledged some tense selection battles await for Australia’s World Test Championship final XI, with Cameron Green returning as a batsman to put pressure on the top six that beat India, as well as Josh Inglis who made a century on debut in Sri Lanka.

But Konstas is well and truly in the hunt – if not in the box seat – to partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order after the way he took the game to India on debut on Boxing Day.

Critics were left scratching their heads after Konstas’ hurricane seven-ball cameo at the crease against Boland and Victoria at the SCG, knowing that the prolific century-maker is proven at batting in a more conventional style at first-class level.

Cummins said the last thing Australian cricket needs is for Konstas to retreat into his shell.

Sam Konstas endured a mixed return to Sheffield Shield. Picture: Getty Images

“No not at all. I think that’s a strength. There’s far more players who are timid and over defensive than there are guys who are willing to take the game on and play what’s in front of you,” Cummins said as an ambassador for Prime Video who have the exclusive rights for both the Champions Trophy underway in Pakistan and June’s World Test Championship Final.

“For any new batsman it’s about taking good options and for some people that might look different, but the art of batting is trying to find out where are your strengths and where are your good options.

“Obviously (the WTC Final is) still a few months away but Sammy was in the team in Australia and that’s going to be similar conditions in England.

“I feel like it’s going to be a tough selection that first Test match. We’ve got quite a few fast bowlers, but now also quite a few batters to choose so it’s going to be a really strong 15 and it’s a good problem to have. There’s a lot of guys in form.”

Pat Cummins has backed Sam Konstas. Picture: Getty Images

Cummins, who is not in Pakistan for Australia’s Champions Trophy campaign due to the recent birth of his second child, Edith, and to rest a niggling ankle injury, said he’s confident an unheralded bowling attack can step up against England on Saturday night.

Australia are in uncharted waters without Cummins, Josh Hazlewood or Mitchell Starc part of the Champions Trophy attack, but Cummins said understudies including Spencer Johnson, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis and Ben Dwarshius were ready to show what they can do as spearheads.

Cummins said getting smashed by Sri Lanka in two warm-up ODIs might be a good thing, as it was when Australia was soundly beaten by South Africa in the lead-up to their 2023 World Cup win.

Australia was crushed by Sri Lanka in two ODIs before the Champions Trophy. Picture: Getty Images

“Sometimes it’s a good wake-up. A bit of a jolt,” Cummins said.

“It’s quite spin friendly in Sri Lanka, whereas Pakistan tends to be a bit flatter. I know they’ve had a really good prep in Pakistan the last week and the real stuff starts now.

“The last couple of years there’s been some bilateral series where we’ve had some of those more inexperienced (fast bowlers) step up and they’ve been brilliant.

“I think in a world event in foreign conditions, it’s a challenge, but they’re ready for it.

“Whilst a lot of them have only played a little bit, I feel like they’ve played a lot of state cricket and they’re in their late 20s most of the guys and well established cricketers. They’re ready for it.”

* Fans can secure their place at Prime Video’s watch party at Mountain Culture Redfern on Saturday night for Australia v England in the Champions Trophy by heading to Prime Video’s Instagram story.