Newly picked Australia opener Sam Konstas isn’t planning to freak himself out by studying the Baggy Green’s Nemesis-in-Chief Jasprit Bumrah too much. Before arriving in Melbourne, the 19-year-old seemed to be doing a good job of putting on a brave face on all matters looming and booming ahead, like Bumrah.
“I won’t watch too much (of him),” Konstas was quoted as saying by Fox Cricket. “I have already seen him a lot. But I am excited to challenge myself and face him. Usually, our analysts do a little feedback on each bowler. I might read that, maybe,” he said.
Konstas was out for a three-ball duck on Saturday, soon after his 56 off 27 against Adelaide Strikers in his BBL debut. But it was what was awaiting him at Melbourne that all the excitement was about.
“I’m very excited. I want to be challenged and I’ve got a few plans against India’s bowlers. I feel like I’m moving really nicely so hopefully I get that opportunity,” he told the media.
Fox Cricket recalled from the Canberra game that ‘Konstas would take a lot of confidence from his century against India for the Prime Minister’s XI, when India’s slips were caught laughing at his shots.’ Bumrah was not part of that game.
Konstas though carries all the positivity expected from a teenaged debutant. “I’m super confident. Just backing my skills, I have done all the hard work. Just another game, I guess, and trying to keep it simple. As a kid you have always dreamt of the moment, and it is very rare, getting your baggy green. So it’s a huge honour if I do get in,” he said.
The teenager who will take to the MCG nets on Monday, said his family would turn up at Melbourne to cheer him on. “It was all a bit unexpected, but very privileged to get the opportunity,” Konstas said. “I just had dinner with the family [to celebrate], pretty chilled. It was emotional, mum was crying … Everything has happened so fast. Mum and dad and my brothers, all their sacrifices, taking me to training, throwing me balls, experiencing the journey through highs and lows. Just to give something back to them was very special. I can’t wait to have them in Melbourne for support.”
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