Sam Konstas insists he is up for the challenge of the international Test tour as his name returns to the selection debate over Australia’s troubled top order.
The teen prodigy became the youngest player to make a half-century for the Thunder on debut in the Big Bash, finding 50 off just 20 balls for the Sydney Thunder.
Having smashed twin tons in the Sheffield Shield for NSW and a century for the Prime Minister’s XI against India, Konstas has already recorded 736 runs so far this summer.
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His efforts have caught the attention of the game’s biggest stars, with England great Michael Vaughan calling for Konstas to be named to bat in the Boxing Day or Sydney Test.
With the scores tied against India, changes to the Australian squad are likely to occur as many of the nation’s batters await to learn their fate for the remainder of the series.
But the possibility of a Test call up is something the 19-year-old is not keeping focus on.
“I’ll take the compliment [from Vaughan], but I’m just trying to focus on the game against the Sydney Sixers,” Konstas said.
“Hopefully, I can get the opportunity one day and see what happens.
“Scoring runs is my main priority and backing myself.
“I’ve just got to keep scoring runs and let the other coaches select me.”
So far, Konstas has been able to handle the challenges posed by all bowlers he has encountered and he is not afraid of facing the immense power of Jasprit Bumrah.
When asked how he thinks he would cope against the Indian star, the 19-year-old replied: “Hopefully we’ll find out one day.”
If selected to make his debut at the MCG on Boxing Day, Konstas admits the nerves would likely kick in.
“It would be a dream come true [to debut at a sold-out MCG]… but we’ll see,” the NSW star said.
“Maybe, I’d get a little nervous before the game, but I’ve worked really hard for that.”
Thunder coach Trevor Bayliss praised the lovely of confidence and self-belief the young star possess, declaring he has only seen such behaviours from a handful of elite Test players.
Citing Michael Clarke, David Warner and Steve Smith as comparisons, Bayliss predicted Konstas would be the next rising star to be snapped up for bigger things.
“What I can say is Sam has a self-confidence you don’t see in very many,” he said.
“It’s hard to explain, but all those blokes had a certain belief and confidence. Most players have [confidence] but some guys stand out above the group.
“That doesn’t guarantee you anything, and Sam has got a lot of hard work to get there, and to do well … but it’s a pretty good start.”
“I don’t think we’ll have him [with the Thunder] for long.
“Whether [he is taken from us] this competition this year or the one after, I’m not sure he will be available for us for too long.”
And that one simple trait could be all it takes to get his national debut across the line.
“Sometimes there’s a little bit of a question mark over some guys if they do fail,” Bayliss continued.
“And they will fail at some stage – but have they got that belief they can come back; some guys you’re not really sure about, others you know they’ve got it mentally.”
The support of his coach is not the only close link assisting Konstas.
“He’s a really exciting talent, and he’s shown it’s not necessarily just potential – he’s consistently performing now,” Thunder teammate Daniel Sams said.
“He seems quite unflappable for someone so young. He’s just fearless.
“We saw what he did against India in the PM’s XI, against some of the names he was up against. He’s seeing the ball and hitting the ball, and the longer he stays in that frame of mind, the better.”