Sam Konstas: Are you on board with him?

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

An eventful start to his test career!

I don't know what to expect each ball he faces. Almost can't watch at times but also can't look away.

Needling the opposition, playing it up to the crowd. Always something going on.

Compulsory viewing.

What are your thoughts?

Has Australia found a dynamic, long-term test opener? Or is he a novelty act that will get found out in time?

Do you like his confident, in-your-face attitude? Or does he need to pull his head in?

 

[Iceman!]

Clearly an elite talent with a high ceiling. I have 0 concerns over his personality or his attitude. Love it actually.

His game will need to be refined for sure. Not sure how much of it is specifically to counter attack an all time great bowler and how much of it is natural.

He clearly has all the shots in the book and a few that aren't even in it. I am very confident he is a long term opener for us. Whether he ends up having some tough periods and gets dropped early remains to be seen.

Seen more than enough so far to be excited for his next 15 years though.

 

[matty lloyd the champ]

The attitude is great if he makes runs.

I would imagine that his schtick would wear thin pretty quick with the Australian public if doesn't back up his mouth with runs.

 

[katana]

he's 19 and has a bit of bravado. anyone remember ponting coming through? virtually all of warnie's career? cricket and especially test cricket is a heavily mental game.

 

[skipper kelly]

He just needs an IPL contract then he will be their best mates.

 

[Kennedy Parker]

No issues with any player showing a bit of personality but needs to ultimately let his performances do the talking, the bravado is just a bit of extra flavouring on top

 

[Iceman!]

The attitude is great if he makes runs.

I would imagine that his schtick would wear thin pretty quick with the Australian public if doesn't back up his mouth with runs.

The Australian public turn on anyone that shows a bit of personality, i wouldn't worry about what they think.

 

[catpremier 07]

Exactly what test cricket needs. My interest in the game has wavered over the last couple of years.
This series and sammy konstas has reignited my passion for the game.

On SM-N986B using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Plugger35]

I like him, it reminds me of when a young exciting 19 year old Craig McDermott made his test debut against the Windies in 1984.

His first wicket was a full bunger, probably should have been a no ball tbh but us kids loved him.

 

[Sqotty from office works]

No thanks.
But Steve Smith had his arm around him during morning photographs which must pain Labushankee.

 

[Hamingja]

To me there is 3 factors with Konstas.

I dislike the media hype but that is not his fault. You don't know where Copeland ends and Konstas starts. Konstas is literally the only thing that Copeland talks about, he is able to bring any conversation back to Konstas. Then you have rent a Konstas quote in Watson, JB milking it for all it is worth etc and it is all very painful.

As far as his attitude goes I love it. The nice guy shtick under Langer and Paine after sand paper gate was window dressing for people that don't even watch cricket. That has permeated into the majority of the current squad. Playing on the edge is what wearing a baggy green has been all about over the long haul. Good to have some of that bite back finally.

Then it comes to the actual approach with the bat. Jury is going to be out over the long term I feel. He is the nice shiny new toy at the moment but people will turn quickly after a run of outs with ordinary dismissals. See Glenn Maxwell, See Brad Haddin etc.

up for now

 

[freemo]

Can't wait for him to turn 20 so that I never again have to hear about him being 19, but otherwise I really like his attitude.

 

[Redline]

The attitude is great if he makes runs.

I would imagine that his schtick would wear thin pretty quick with the Australian public if doesn't back up his mouth with runs.

I think that's about right. I also wonder if he keeps it up when we are beating smaller test nations hiw it will be received.

In the end I think it will come down to timing. Maybe tonight wasn't the night.

 

[imagifED]

On board. Only question mark is if he can perform in the subcontinent especially when the opposition open with spin first up. Should be fine in NZ, SA, WI and current flat English conditions under Bazball.

 

[cats_09]

To me there is 3 factors with Konstas.

I dislike the media hype but that is not his fault. You don't know where Copeland ends and Konstas starts. Konstas is literally the only thing that Copeland talks about, he is able to bring any conversation back to Konstas. Then you have rent a Konstas quote in Watson, JB milking it for all it is worth etc and it is all very painful.

As far as his attitude goes I love it. The nice guy shtick under Langer and Paine after sand paper gate was window dressing for people that don't even watch cricket. That has permeated into the majority of the current squad. Playing on the edge is what wearing a baggy green has been all about over the long haul. Good to have some of that bite back finally.

Then it comes to the actual approach with the bat. Jury is going to be out over the long term I feel. He is the nice shiny new toy at the moment but people will turn quickly after a run of outs with ordinary dismissals. See Glenn Maxwell, See Brad Haddin etc.

up for now

Can I second this please

 

[HirdsTheWord]

zero issues with him if he makes runs.

100% back him to stand up to himself if he's copping chirp from the Indians. **** em.

 

[iDon]

Someone needed to take over from Warner and he is succeeding with that.

Highly likely will be a flash in the pan with his technique being found out in short time.

Will probably be a good 20/20 player though.

 

[rdhopkins2]

Australia will love him when he’s making runs.
Watch out when he has a dry spell though.
A hit out, in your face type guy that plays his own game like Warner. Writes his own cricket manual.

 

[99 Problems]

No issue with him in general and especially his words with Bumrah today. India were probably going to fit another over in until he bought another 30 seconds. Of course it looks silly after Ussie knicks off but the idea was right.

The amazing thing to watch was them all get in his face at the non-strikers after. He has genuinely affected them. India have been a bit like that with Head for a while which we saw with Siraj earlier in the summer, but he had to smash them in two major finals to earn that. All Sam needed was a couple of ramp shots.

It will be tough on this deck but think if he makes 50+ in the morning he probably goes a good way to winning the match and definitely winning the public over.

 

[ep2018]

He needs to back up his swagger with a good score tomorrow.

 

[99 Problems]

Someone needed to take over from Warner and he is succeeding with that.

Highly likely will be a flash in the pan with his technique being found out in short time.

Will probably be a good 20/20 player though.

Think that’s a little harsh. I havent seen a 19 year old yet that hasn’t had some technique issues that need fixing at some point and he’s fronting up to one of the best bowlers we’ve seen. He’s trying something different and being super aggressive to combat him but he’s capable and usually plays much more conservatively.

I expect he’ll get dropped a couple of times along the way like they all do but think he’s well above average at this stage of his career.

 

[PhatBoy]

On board. Only question mark is if he can perform in the subcontinent especially when the opposition open with spin first up. Should be fine in NZ, SA, WI and current flat English conditions under Bazball.

I think most of the current English attack if it was flat, is exactly what he would lick his lips to try it against.

However some observations:

I don’t see anyone at test level getting away too often with charging or ramping Mark Wood at full pace. He will be able to score runs off him by all means but I doubt that will be the way.


Re SA: at full fitness they have available to them 3 guys who bowl 150+ and another 4(?) who bowl in the 140s. 2 of them are also at or above the 2 metre mark. That doesn’t address the handful that bowl decent seamers that move a lot in the right conditions or swing a bit. Some guys handle it: Warner and Hughes took to SA conditions and bowlers like ducks to water. Others don’t. He hasn’t had to face anything like that yet.

He’s got a sample size to date at test level of about 80-odd balls.

‘He will be fine against’ is probably a bit premature just yet. He has a bit to show and adapt to yet.

 

[Xtreme]

Needs to pull his head in and let his scores do the talking. Zero need for WWE theatrics.

 

[Gough]

I think most of the current English attack if it was flat, is exactly what he would lick his lips to try it against.

However some observations:

I don’t see anyone at test level getting away too often with charging or ramping Mark Wood at full pace. He will be able to score runs off him by all means but I doubt that will be the way.


Re SA: at full fitness they have available to them 3 guys who bowl 150+ and another 4(?) who bowl in the 140s. 2 of them are also at or above the 2 metre mark. That doesn’t address the handful that bowl decent seamers that move a lot in the right conditions or swing a bit. Some guys handle it: Warner and Hughes took to SA conditions and bowlers like ducks to water. Others don’t. He hasn’t had to face anything like that yet.

He’s got a sample size to date at test level of about 80-odd balls.

‘He will be fine against’ is probably a bit premature just yet. He has a bit to show and adapt to yet.

I've got far too many other vices to add gambling to the list but if I was a betting man I'm willing to back someone who's batted like Konstas has so far to have a Test decent career.

 

[PhatBoy]

I've got far too many other vices to add gambling to the list but if I was a betting man I'm willing to back someone who's batted like Konstas has so far to have a Test decent career.

I will too.

I’m not going to make any assumption that a) his career will play out like his brief time at the crease so far, though or that b) it’s going to be a smooth ride where he’s unchallenged and doing what he likes because every attack will present identical challenges.