Sam Konstas’ junior St George coach Peter Jackson saw his potential

Australian cricket fans have now taken notice of Sam Konstas, but his local St George Cricket Club have always seen the talent in the boy from Hurstville.

Sam Konstas plays for Australia in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

Australian cricket fans have now taken notice of Sam Konstas, but his local St George Cricket Club has always seen the potential of the boy from Hurstville.

Current club coach Peter Jackson has watched Sam Konstas grow up, coaching the new sensation in under-16s, when he hit 800 runs in a season.

Sam Konstas plays a shot in day one of the Fourth Test at Melbourne on Boxing Day. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“We knew he was going to be special, he is a competitor – even at a young age you could see that come through,” Mr Jackson said, in the wake of Konstas’ electric 60 run debut in the Boxing Day Test against India.

The 19-year-old’s competitive nature was on show during his clash with Indian superstar Virat Kohli after the Indian batsman appeared to deliberately bump into Konstas as he walked down the wicket.

The incident failed to rattle the debutant who later brought up his half-century.

St George head coach Peter Jackson is enjoying watching Konstas’ success. Picture: Jeremy Ng

“He’s always up for any situation, whatever that might be in a game,” said Peter Jackson.

“Whether he was batting or captaining the team, he always believed he could win the game.”

Konstas during the first session on Boxing Day. Picture: Michael Klein

Konstas celebrates after reaching his half century. Picture: Getty Images

Jackson, who watched Konstas’ innings on TV in Sydney, expressed how delighted he was to see him get his baggy green, and the sheer joy to see how he performed.

“We were very pleased that he’d been selected for Australia, but also of the way he has gone out there and performed.”

Umpire Michael Gough speaks with Sam Konstas and India’s Virat Kohli. Picture: Getty Images

The 19-year-old had an aggressive mindset, hitting shots to all parts of the ground, which included multiple ramp shots against the number-one test bowler Jasprit Bumrah.

Konstas’ great start to his test career will encourage him, but it won’t satisfy the opening batsman according to his former coach, saying he will be locked in to go one better and get a century in the next innings.

“It’s certainly going to give him confidence and (something) to build on, but he won’t be totally happy.”

Originally published as Sam Konstas’ junior St George coach Peter Jackson saw his potential