New Delhi: With a century against India, Sam Konstas has only enhanced his reputation as a batter and is knocking on the doors of the Australian team, believes former Australia pacer Damien Fleming.
The right hander struck 107 runs off 97 balls, including 14 boundaries and a six, for Australia PM’s XI against India in Canberra in a 50-overs-a-side practice game.
With Australian batters being all at sea against the Indian bowlers in the first Test at Perth, Konstas’ century is a timely reminder for Cricket Australia’s selectors.
It also increases the pressure on regular No.3 batter Marnus Labuschagne, who is in the midst of a slump in form but has been persisted for the day-night second Test in Adelaide as his record in pink ball Tests have been impressive over the years.
Fleming said Konstas made his case a world of good with a timely century, which is bound to be noticed by the Australian selectors sooner or later.
“What I love about what Sam did yesterday was he enhanced his reputation and that’s all you can do,” Fleming told SEN Afternoons.
“That was brilliant from him. He’s going to play, it’s just a matter of when whether it’s this summer or not. My feeling was an Aussie fan and commentator is that he doesn’t play this summer because everyone else scores a lot of runs.
“But a failure for someone like Marnus means I can see Konstas coming straight in for him,” the former seamer said.
Promising young talent
The 19-year-old Konstas has been grabbing attention in the Australian cricketing circle in 202, coinciding with the struggle of Australian batters.
Led by Jasprit Bumrah, Indian bowlers dominated in Perth on both the innings, as Aussie batters couldn’t cope up with their pace and swing at the Optus Stadium.
Australia’s gamble of making Nathan McSweeney debut as opener alongside Usman Khawaja flopped badly, exposing the vulnerable Labuschagne and under confident Steve Smith.
If a similar script unfold in the day night match at Adelaide, then the hosts would be compelled to look at other options, where in Konstas could be considered.
Sam Konstas struck 107 runs off 97 balls, including 14 boundaries and a six, for Australia PM’s XI against India in Canberra in a 50-overs-a-side practice game. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
