New Delhi: Batting against extreme pace comes naturally to Sam Konstas and the reason behind his extraordinary talent is as bizarre as his freak ability. Konstas treated Jasprit Bumrah, the world’s best pacer, with disdain and played some astonishing shots against a bowler, who has been unplayable to the rest of the Aussie batting unit on the whole tour.
Konstas’ fearless attitude, remarkable ability and daredevilry are by-products of a bizarre mistake his father committed during the teenager’s childhood training.
Making a blockbuster entry into international cricket, Konstas lived up to the superstar billing by slamming a swashbuckling 60 off 65 balls on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Thursday.
More than the remarkable feat of maiden fifty, Konstas’ boldness and fearlessness to attack Bumrah with the new ball will be talked about for a long time.
Konstas’ brother Billy, a physiotherapist by profession, revealed the reason behind his brother’s fearless attitude. Billy said that it was because of his father’s error that Konstas learned to handle extreme pace from an early age.
Bizzare story from childhood
“We were little kids and the first time dad took us to a bowling machine, he had it on 90 miles an hour, thinking it was 90 kilometres,” Billy told Fox Cricket.
“Dad fed the machine, and he hit it straight out of the middle. I think from the age of five or six years old, this has always been his dream. It’s a dream come true for all the family and feel very blessed and thank God for being here.”
Konstas’ explosive approach set the tone for the home side, which ended Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test at a solid 311 for six.
Konstas steals the limelight
Billy further added that Konstas was always confident of getting a good score on debut since the day he graduated to first-class cricket from St George and Sutherland last year.
Konstas’ innings was full of audacious shots. After missing out on the ramp shot twice early on, Konstas successfully played three ramp shots in one over against Bumrah, hitting the pacer for two boundaries and one six, leaving the fans and commentators in disbelief. He was also involved in an on-field altercation with Virat Kohli, which resulted in the penalisation of the Indian superstar.
While Konstas set the tone with a stunning fifty, Usman Khawaja (57), Marnus Labuschagne (72) and Steve Smith (68 not out) consolidated Australia’s position with crucial contributions with the bat.
For India, Jasprit Bumrah picked up three wickets.
Australia vs India: Sam Konstas’ brother Billy, a physiotherapist by profession, revealed the reason behind his brother’s fearless attitude and extraordinary ability. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
