Sam Konstas out for duck as Sydney Sixers steal BBL thriller against Thunder
Sam Konstas came back to earth a day after his Australian squad call-up as the Sixers stole the Sydney Smash with a remarkable final-ball win. WATCH THE FULL HIGHLIGHTS
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Sam Konstas completed another lap on the seemingly endless emotional rollercoaster he’s been on all summer with the teen sensation dismissed for a third-ball duck just a day after he was picked in the Australian squad, with a former Test opener upstaging his young teammate as the Sixers stole the Sydney Smash with a remarkable final-ball win.
It’s been a whirlwind few days for the 19-year-old wunderkind who became the youngest player to score a BBL half-century in the Thunder’s win over the Strikers on Tuesday which rocketed him into contention for the national side.
His dream came true on Friday when he got the call he’d been waiting for while in the nets, but he missed the chance to properly celebrate after he chopped on in the opening over of the Sydney Smash which the Sixers won by five wickets.
It was the second game in a row he’d been dismissed by left-arm spin, but it won’t rock his confidence ahead of a potential Test debut next week after he was picked in place of Nathan McSweeney.
“I was actually in the nets and I got the call by George Bailey. He told me that I was in the Test squad,” Konstas said during the coverage on Fox Cricket.
“I was so thrilled and called my parents straight away, and they were very emotional. Hopefully I make the team tomorrow and go from there. Mum was in tears so I was trying not to cry. Dad was super proud.
“It’s been an amazing journey with all the ups and downs so I’m grateful for all their sacrifices.
“It’d be a huge honour to debut and it’d be a dream come true. I think it’s a sell-out already so I think my friends and family will be there as well.
“He (McSweeney) actually congratulated me this morning so we’re very good mates. I wished him all the best.”
Konstas has been on fire this summer with twin tons for NSW and another century for the Prime Minister’s XI, but he’ll face a much sterner test against Indian superstar Jasprit Bumrah who has dominated this series.
“I want to be challenged and I’ve got a few plans against those bowlers. I feel like I’m moving really nicely so hopefully I get that opportunity,” he said.
He’s already piled on the runs against India in Canberra and again in the BBL, so could we see more ramp shots at the MCG?
“Time will tell,” he teased.
“I’m not going to say too much. I’m just going to react to the ball, show some intent and put the pressure back on the bowlers.”
TWO EASY POINTS
Moises Henriques joked last week that it was “an easy two points for us normally” when the Sixers played the Thunder, and he was sort of right with the men in magenta continuing their dominant record, albeit in dramatic circumstances.
Needing 15 off the final over to chase down the Thunder’s total of 5/163, a couple of crucial wides gave the Sixers a sniff, with Ben Dwarshuis (20 off eight) then launching a Chris Green ball into orbit with his side needing seven off two.
The Thunder brought the field up but it was to no avail as Jordan Silk scampered through for a single to get the Sixers home by five wickets.
The Thunder were their own worst enemies and were guilty of the howler of the season when a simple chance landed between Tanveer Sangha and Sam Billings who both looked at each other feeling equally sheepish.
TRIPLE TREAT
David Warner whacked Sean Abbott’s first delivery for six, but he was sent packing next ball to continue his slow start to the tournament.
It was left to a couple of other Thunder batters to pick up the slack, with Ollie Davies blasting 47 off 35 including three massive sixes to welcome Todd Murphy into the attack.
But it was Cameron Bancroft who anchored the innings with an unbeaten 70 off 52 as the forgotten man in the Test conversation sent a subtle reminder to selectors that he should still be in the mix.
Bancroft has fallen out of favour following a slow start to the Sheffield Shield season but showed he’s far from a spent force with three sixes in his classy knock.
Originally published as Sam Konstas out for duck as Sydney Sixers steal BBL thriller against Thunder
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