BGT: Lawson Believes Konstas is Prepared for Test Cricket Following Impressive Innings Against Western Australia
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New Delhi, Dec 21 (NationPress) Former Australian fast bowler Geoff Lawson expressed that Sam Konstas' remarkable score of 88 against Western Australia, achieved under gloomy conditions on a greenish pitch in Sydney during this year’s Sheffield Shield, has convinced him that the young opener is fully prepared to take on Test cricket for Australia.
On Friday, Konstas received a call-up to the Australian Test team for the upcoming fourth and fifth Tests against India, replacing Nathan McSweeney. He gained recognition by scoring two centuries against South Australia in the first round of the Sheffield Shield.
These twin centuries granted him the honor of being the first teenager to accomplish this since the legendary Ricky Ponting in 1993. In addition to his 88-run performance, Konstas also scored a century against India in a pink-ball practice match held in Canberra and made an impressive 73 not out against India A in Melbourne.
“As the young Greek opening duo of Konstas and Blake Nikitaras approached the crease, the SCG lights had to be turned on while Morris prepared to deliver his pitches,” Lawson noted.
“Konstas skillfully dodged and weaved, allowing the ball to pass by before executing a cover drive reminiscent of Greg Chappell. His back-foot and front-foot drives showcased exceptional timing and placement, lacking the physical power seen in many modern batsmen. This performance continued until the umpires called for a break with NSW still having no wickets down.”
“Although there were a few misjudged swings and missed opportunities, the following morning, while he was on his way to 88, an attempted reverse ramp off a fast delivery sent coach Greg Shipperd into a frenzy. Nevertheless, the tense evening encounter, illuminated by Morris's raw talent at the SCG, assured me that this young player was ready for the big leagues—right now,” Lawson declared in his column for The Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday.
If selected for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne starting on December 26, Konstas would become the fourth-youngest male Test debutant in Australia’s cricket history and the youngest player to enter the longer format since current captain Pat Cummins debuted in 2011.
Lawson also highlighted that the Australian cricket community has recognized Konstas as a promising talent. “Konstas possesses a remarkable understanding of the game. His instinct for cricket is exceptional for someone so young—a wise head on young shoulders that aids him in confronting quality bowling,” he stated.
“At the end of the Australia under-19 tour to England in 2023, assistant coach Dan Christian remarked to me, very decisively (as I had just joined as a selector for NSW), ‘This kid Konstas, he’s just 17, but just place him in the Shield team and keep him there. He’s destined to be outstanding!’”
“The head coach of that team, Anthony Clark, had witnessed Sam’s journey through the NSW pathways and had made a similar observation, stating he was ‘one of the exceptional talents’,” Lawson concluded.
