He endured one of the vital depressing sequence in Australian Take a look at historical past within the Caribbean, however the nice Ricky Ponting has urged selectors to retain Sam Konstas for the summer season’s Ashes sequence.
The 19-year previous, who lit up world cricket final summer season when he flayed India and star quick bowler Jasprit Bumrah for a memorable Boxing Day half-century, managed simply 50 runs at a median of 8.33 in Australia’s 3-0 sequence win over the West Indies – the worst run by an Aussie opener within the area in 41 years.
Alongside the best way, a number of key technical deficiencies had been ruthlessly uncovered by the Windies’ tempo assault, particularly Shamar Joseph, with uncertainty exterior off stump and a vulnerability to inswing incessantly contributing to his dismissals.
The catastrophe has thrown the spot on the prime of the order to tackle England into jeopardy, however talking on The ICC Evaluate, Ponting, one in every of Australia’s biggest ever batters, has known as for Konstas to get one other likelihood on dwelling shores.
“I’m not going to make any actually harsh judgment calls on Sam but as a result of it was arduous work for each batter in that sequence, there’s little question about it,” he stated.
“They’ve to stay with him for a time frame and assist him work via these deficiencies that he may need or may not have.
“If we get him again onto some flatter wickets at first of the Australian summer season and a few Sheffield Protect matches beneath his belt, possibly he’s received an incredible likelihood there to get some confidence again and get some runs beneath his belt.
“I’ll again him in.”
Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja. (Picture by Santanu Banik/Velocity Media/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos)
Like Konstas, Ponting additionally made his Take a look at debut at a younger age, making 96 at simply 20 years previous towards Sri Lanka in 1995.
He took time to search out his ft, averaging within the mid-30s at Take a look at degree till late 1999, earlier than quickly blossoming to develop into one in every of Australia’s all-time greats.
“The unlucky factor about Take a look at cricket and if you’re a younger bloke looking for your ft is very often you need to work it out for your self,” he stated of Konstas’ struggles.
“You’ve received to discover a technique and one thing that works for you out within the center – now that could be technique-wise, it could be the best way you strategy it, it could be the psychological aspect of your recreation, however there’s no better expertise than being on the market and doing it.
“It’s trial and error till you truly discover the precise proper treatment that works for you, and the one means you are able to do that’s by being out within the center.”
Ponting additionally famous that Konstas’ struggles got here throughout a nightmare sequence for batters on either side, with no participant averaging greater than 40 and only one rating of past 300 managed from both staff in bowler-friendly circumstances.
He added that Australia’s resolution to go away him out for the tour of Sri Lanka earlier this yr, with Travis Head moved to the highest of the order to accomplice Usman Khawaja in his stead, might have backfired.
“The Australians tried to guard him from what they thought was going to be a very troublesome tour of Sri Lanka,” he stated.
“They left him on the market hoping to deliver him in within the Caribbean the place issues may need been a little bit bit simpler. Properly, it’s been the precise reverse of that.
the wickets that we’ve received within the Caribbean have been arduous for everyone to bat on.
“I take a look at that final consequence the place the West Indies have been bowled out for 27. That’s simply not right down to high-quality bowling – that’s right down to the floor and the ball and all kinds of issues.”
Konstas is the most recent Australian opening option to battle to mattress down a place alongside Khawaja since David Warner retired in January 2024.
Since then, Steve Smith, Nathan McSweeney, Konstas, Head and Marnus Labuschagne have all been trialled on the prime of the order, whereas Sheffield Protect stalwarts together with Cameron Bancroft and Matt Renshaw have regularly pressed their circumstances for increased honours.
