When it comes to overseas players, Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar scored a hundred as an 18-year-old at the SCG in 1992. Derek Sealy (West Indies), Parthiv Patel (India), Waqar Younis (Pakistan) and Saqlain Mushtaq (Pakistan) have also played at the SCG as 18-year-olds.

Cummins, who hugged Konstas when Nathan Lyon took Australia’s final wicket at the MCG on Monday, hit the winning runs against South Africa on debut in 2011 but didn’t play a Test in Sydney until he was 24.

“I’ve always felt like one of the younger guys in the team and then seeing Sammy as a 19-year-old geeing up the crowd, I feel quite old,” Cummins said after Australia’s 184-run win delivered a 2-1 series lead.

It takes a lot to impress stalwarts like Cummins, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, but Konstas was an instant hit with his new teammates after a breathtaking 60 from 65 balls on Boxing Day that will forever be remembered for a series of bold ramp shots off Jasprit Bumrah.

“It was unreal … the bravery that he showed on day one,” Cummins said. “He’s got that no fear kind of mindset, which is amazing. I hope he keeps that. He takes the game on, revs up the crowd and doesn’t shy away from any contest. I love the swagger he brings.”

Head coach Andrew McDonald said only one thing had surprised him about Konstas.

“We knew what we were getting into as selectors,” McDonald said. “Did we get a little bit more than what we expected? No doubt about that. I think people talk about heavy-duty runs in the first innings, and he put pressure back on and allowed our middle order to get to work.

“The conversation was how early was he going to get into those proactive shots? [Doing it on his] 12th ball did surprise me a little bit. I think he’s a fast learner, so I think things are on the right path.”

Australia’s selectors have come in for criticism in over a perceived reluctance to make tough calls, but McDonald said there had been no special sense of satisfaction after Konstas instantly justified his inclusion in the side.

“It doesn’t give us any satisfaction,” McDonald said. “It’s for other people to talk about what decisions are hard and what aren’t. We’re there to do a job and make the best decision with the information that we’ve got … you’ll critique that in hindsight.”

It wasn’t just Konstas’ batting that lit up the Melbourne Test. He played up to the crowd when fielding and performed a series of stretches in the outfield that had fans imitating the youngster’s every move.

Konstas was chatty in the field, particularly close to the bat, to the point where it began unsettling India’s young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Loading

“He’s mad,” Smith said of Konstas on Channel Seven. “I think he really enjoyed himself under the lid. He was chirping. At one point I think Jaiswal was actually trying to hit the ball at him to try and shut him up a bit. He brought great energy and real confidence. It’s nice to see him start so well in his first Test match. I think he has a bright future.”

Bumrah dismissed Konstas in the second innings, setting the scene for a tantalising battle at the SCG, where Konstas has played four-class matches for a return of 235 runs at 33.57.

A huge contingent of Konstas’ family, friends and cricket acquaintances are expected to descend on the SCG to cheer him on as Australia push for a famous series win.

“Sam’s a very confident young player … and I love that about him,” Labuschagne said. “He’ll love that Bumrah [has] revved it up and I’m sure he’ll be ready to go for the next innings.”