Ugly scenes as Konstas’ total Test nightmare leaves Aussies exposed
Sam Konstas’ Test career is quickly turning into a nightmare after the teenager was dismissed in ugly fashion against the West Indies.
Sam Konstas’ Test career is only four Tests old but it might already be at a crossroads following a second innings duck in the second Test against the West Indies.
Australia took a 33-run lead into the second innings after the West Indies’ tail wagged on Day 2, giving the Aussie batters a tricky period late in the day.
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But Konstas, who had treatment on his back in the field, couldn’t survive until stumps, chopping on to Jayden Seales for a four-ball duck in an ugly dismissal.
Konstas looked to play an expansive shot to a wide delivery, but he chopped onto his stumps with a bottom edge.
The sight of the 19-year-old trudging back to the pavilion was a grim one.
“I’ve just noticed a few balance issues in Barbados and here,” former Australian player Greg Blewett said in commentary.
“That dismissal there, his feet aren’t planted and then he’s throwing his hands at the ball.
“His feet are still moving after he makes contact (with the ball). That’s not ideal. That just suggests things aren’t quite right with his balance.
“Sometimes he’s getting in good positions, but a lot of the time you’re just seeing that overbalance after he plays a shot.”
Konstas’ half century on Boxing Day against India’s Jasprit Bumrah last year set the summer alight, but less than six months out from the Ashes, he has some work to do. Konstas scored 25 in the first innings, to go with scores of 3 and 5 in the first Test.
The pitch in Grenada had some serious gremlins and Usman Khawaja was out LBW to Seales soon after for two.
Nightwatchman Nathan Lyon came out to bat with Cameron Green and they survived, with Australia 2/12 at stumps, leading by 45 runs.
Sam Konstas looked completely shattered after that dismissal. Walked off staring blankly into the distance, emotional even. Andrew McDonald immediately left his spot on the second floor balcony above the dressing room to potentially put an arm around the teenager #WIvAus
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) July 4, 2025
Sam Konstas. Could’ve been anything. Wasn’t anything. You have to feel for the young man. @SEN_Cricketpic.twitter.com/gOYqX9RyrR
— Adam White (@White_Adam) July 4, 2025
Windies tail wags
Australia has its work cut out in the second Test against the West Indies with some rearguard action by the Windies’ tail frustrating the Aussies.
Half centuries to Beau Webster and Alex Carey helped Australia to a total of 286 on Day 1, and it was a another strong performance by the bowling attack on Day 2 to put the visitors ahead of the game.
John Campbell (40) and Brandon King (75) were the best contributors with the bat for the Windies, as Pat Cummins produced two moments of brilliance.
Cummins bowled a regulation delivery to Keacy Carty, who edged the ball onto his pad, prompting it to balloon high into the air.
The Australian captain sprinted to take a diving one-handed catch at short leg to complete a sensational caught and bowled.
Blewett said in commentary: “That is a fantastic piece of work from Patty Cummins. Six foot five and the athleticism on show.”
Commentator Adam Collins wrote on X: “Cummins with his first delivery takes a bat pad short leg catch... but it’s c&b with a full-length dive across the surface in his follow-through. He’s a ridiculous cricketer.”
Cummins struck again when he bowled an absolute peach of a delivery that jagged back in to clean bowl Shai Hope, moments after setting him up with a ball that swung away.
“That is an absolute peach!” Blewett said.
Bharat Sundaresan posted: “Wide on the crease, first delivery pitches on a virtual 5th stump & straightens away from the right-hander.
“Wide of the crease, next delivery pitches on the same spot & jags back in & right through the defences of Shai Hope. Pure genius from Pat Cummins.”
One fan wrote: “An absolutely unplayable ball by Pat Cummins to dismiss Shai Hope - the sort of delivery Courtney Walsh sent down regularly.”
A second said: “That ball to clean up Shai Hope was dreamy.”
Fast bowler Shamar Joseph showed he can swing a bat, scoring 29 runs to bring the Windies within sight of Australia’s first innings total.
The Windies were 4/111 and 6/169, giving Australia hopes of a health first innings lead, but the tail wagged to nearly erase Australia’s advantage.
Australia finally bowled the hosts out for 253 to take a 33-run lead into the second innings.
Travis Head took the final wicket of of Anderson Phillip with caught and bowled.
Boland question as Starc milestone looms
Will Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood play all three Test in the West Indies?
The Aussie cartel has played the World Test Championship final and the first two Tests in the Caribbean, leaving Scott Boland to run drinks with spinner Matt Kuhnemann in Bridgetown.
“Scotty Boland, will we see him in the third Test? Decisions to be made in due course depending on how the rest of this game goes,” Greg Blewett said in commentary.
“A lot of discussion over when fast bowlers should be rested.
“One thing I love about this bowling attack is they hate missing games. I know for a fact Mitchell Starc hates missing any games.”
Starc has played 99 Tests and is approaching the 400-wicket mark — milestones that perhaps he would prefer to reach during a home Ashes series.
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