Allan Border Predicts a Bright Future for Sam Konstas
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New Delhi, Jan 2 (NationPress) Former Australia captain Allan Border has stated that young opener Sam Konstas has the potential to be a long-term asset for the national team. He likened Konstas's dazzling shots against Jasprit Bumrah during the Melbourne match to the way Ian Botham used to dominate the bowlers.
On his debut in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, Konstas scored an impressive 60 off 65 balls, showcasing his ability by lifting Bumrah effortlessly in the initial overs, much to the delight of spectators. Although Bumrah dismissed him in the second innings, Konstas has ignited excitement across Australia regarding his future potential.
"If you consider that first day, India had no response. Suddenly, he challenged them, and they didn't have an answer to his batting. Normally, with a new ball, the field is set tightly, so what happens? They start spreading it out.
"Having experienced this with someone like Ian Botham – he wouldn’t do it constantly, but occasionally he would start hitting hard – it's quite tricky to manage. What instructions do you give the bowler, what field do you create? It’s really challenging not to go on the defensive, and once you do, the opposition gains the momentum. It’s difficult to counteract that.
"I’m a huge supporter – I’ve only seen him play a few times, but his technique is impressive when needed, and he can also execute a variety of shots. He possesses both styles – he is undoubtedly going to be a long-term player for Australia," Border was quoted as saying by The Sydney Morning Herald.
The upcoming fifth Test, commencing on Friday, may see Steve Smith reaching a remarkable milestone in Test cricket, needing just 38 runs to become the fourth Australian batsman to achieve 10,000 Test runs.
Border was the first to achieve this milestone in January 1993, later surpassing Sunil Gavaskar to hold the record for the most Test runs, which was eventually broken by Brian Lara in 2005 and is now held by Sachin Tendulkar.
"This accomplishment speaks volumes about the effort he’s invested. He’s not the type of player you’d say to your son, ‘Follow this technique,’ but it has proven effective for him, which indicates a deep understanding of his game. He has executed it exceptionally well, as his technique is not universally applicable. He is among the elite players. While there are more aesthetically pleasing players, few can match his record.
"With an average of around 57, he ranks among the greatest ever, excluding one particular player (Bradman), and he stands with the absolute best. Regarding Australia, we’ve had greats like Greg Chappell, Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh, and others.
"Now, Steve Smith is rightfully placed in that elite group. I have immense respect for Tendulkar and Lara; they were phenomenal cricketers, but Steve is undoubtedly in their league," Border concluded.
