Concerns Raised Over Sam Konstas' Forward Defense by O'Keeffe
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New Delhi, Dec 31 (NationPress) Former Australian cricketer Kerry O’Keeffe has expressed serious concerns regarding the batting technique of 19-year-old opener Sam Konstas, cautioning that the significant flaws in his forward defense could jeopardize his burgeoning Test career if not promptly addressed.
O’Keeffe’s critique followed Konstas’s difficulties against India during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, where his vulnerability against inswinging deliveries was laid bare.
While inswinging deliveries have troubled Konstas, O'Keeffe believes the core issue resides in his forward defense technique. Speaking on Fox Cricket, O’Keeffe elucidated, "The Indian tacticians have pinpointed a problem with Sam Konstas's forward defense. This flaw has now been unveiled on the global stage and will likely be exploited by bowling units worldwide."
In the fourth Test against India, Konstas fell victim to inswinging deliveries in both innings. During the first innings, Jasprit Bumrah tested him early, although Konstas managed to survive by adopting an offensive approach rather than a defensive one. However, in the second innings, Bumrah initially bowled outswingers to set Konstas up before unleashing a devastating inswinger that shattered his stumps.
“Sam’s front shoulder, he completely loses it and merely plays with his hands. He’s pushing his hands at the ball away from his body. This gap is created, and Bumrah capitalized on it. He doesn’t need too many invitations,” O'Keeffe remarked.
