Sam Konstas admits the hardest part of his brief Test career has been keeping his heart-rate down, not keeping the ball out. Now 19, the right-hander will slot back into Australia’s XI for the first Test against West Indies in Bridgetown on 25 June, determined to breathe a little easier than he did on debut last December.
“It was my first few Test matches, and the emotions probably got to me with the crowd,” he recalled in Barbados, thinking back to his punchy 60 off 65 balls against India at the MCG. “But having a bit of time off to reflect and strengthen my game has helped.”
Selectors have handed Konstas and wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis recalls, while Marnus Labuschagne drops out and Steven Smith sits out with a dislocated finger. The youngster therefore picks up just his third cap after missing both the Sri Lanka tour and the World Test Championship final, when tactical shuffles pushed him out of contention.
Konstas keeps a handwritten diary, a habit born at school, and says it has become his anchor on the road. “The diary’s been important,” he explained, the Test cap No. 468 inked on his forearm. “Just reflecting on games, going back to my checkpoints, especially when you’re overseas. It helps me get grounded again.”
On the park, he leans heavily on senior voices. “I’m just trying to control my breath and have a good relationship with my batting partner to talk about things and how to go through, especially heated moments, when the game changes,” he said. “I always try to get advice from Uzi [Usman Khawaja], Marnus, Smith, just seeing how they go about things. I’m lucky to be around them, especially at 19. Playing for your country, travelling the world, it really is a dream come true.”
With the post-David Warner top order still in flux, Konstas should have the full three-match series—Grenada from 3 July and Jamaica from 12 July follow Bridgetown—to lock down an opening berth before the Ashes later in the year. He does not take the chance for granted. “For me, I just hope to grab an opportunity because it’s such a strong side. I’m very grateful for that.”
Short of breath or not, the next fortnight offers him the oxygen of time in the middle.
