Pat Cummins’ advice for Sam Konstas as struggling rookie backed after second Test failure

Struggling for runs and with his technique firmly under the microscope, Sam Konstas is a man under pressure. His captain, Pat Cummins, has some simple and direct advice for him.

Pat Cummins has urged Sam Konstas not to ride the ups and downs of Test cricket and judge his output at the end of a series rather than innings by innings as the teenager battles a lean run of form on return to the international arena.

Australia’s indefatigable bowlers again dismantled the West Indies in the fourth innings to secure a 133-run win in the second Test at Grenada’s National Cricket Stadium to secure retention of the Frank Worrell Trophy that has remained in Australia’s grip since 1995.

Having been upset by South Africa in last month’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s, Cummins praised his team’s ability to bounce back in the Caribbean, labelling a 2-0 series lead with one Test to play in Jamaica as a “dream start” to the new WTC cycle.

However while the attack has done its job and then some, the batting has been shakier, notwithstanding half-centuries across the series to date from Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster and Alex Carey, the last of whom was named player of the match at St George’s following a first innings 63.

The slim output from openers Usman Khawaja and Konstas has been in the spotlight ahead of the summer’s home Ashes series, with Konstas making just 33 runs across four innings including a second innings duck in Grenada

That a series win has already been sewn up reduces the urgency of the situation and makes it highly unlikely that selectors will move on Konstas for the third and final Test In Jamaica - a pink-ball affair - beginning next Sunday (AEST).

Unlike Khawaja, Konstas does not have a long professional career of experience upon which to draw when struggling. Cummins encouraged Konstas to keep chipping away and not get sucked into the ebbs and flows of performance.

“I think for anyone who’s starting out their Test career, you’re kind of picked for a reason, and you at your best, we know is good enough. So I think it’s just about concentrating on what makes you a really good player.

“Someone like a batter, it might be where you score, your areas. What tempo do you normally operate at your best and just don’t get too caught up in every innings feels like the biggest thing in the world.

“I think the stat is even the best batters in the world don’t hit their average three out of four times, something like you’re going to fail more often than you’re going to succeed.

“So just as long as you’re a quick learner, as long as you’re moving well and giving yourself the best chance, it’s just keep kind of doubling down on that and judge yourself after a series or so, not innings by innings.”

Sam Konstas has had a hard time in the Caribbean. Picture: Randy Brooks/AFP

Cummins said he expected all three of Australia’s frontline pacemen to back up for the day-night clash at Sabina Park in what will be the 100th Test of Mitchell Starc’s career.

Only Glenn McGrath has previously reached the landmark as a fast bowler for Australia.

“I can’t fathom playing 100 games and keeping that kind of speed, like he’s just a warrior, just turns up every week and wants to play, no matter what, just cracks on such a low fuss kind of guy,” Cummins said.

“So all things going well, it’ll be a great week for him.”

Originally published as Pat Cummins’ advice for Sam Konstas as struggling rookie backed after second Test failure