Greece name Billy Konstas in T20 WC 2028 European Qualifier squad
Synopsis
Billy Konstas — elder brother of Australia's breakout Test opener Sam Konstas — has been called up by Greece for the ICC T20 World Cup 2028 European Qualifiers in Finland. It is a striking diaspora story: one brother cementing a place in the Australian Test side, the other making his international debut push for Greece. With the HCF also chasing Blake Nikitaras and Peter Hatzoglou, Greece are betting big on Australian-Greek talent to reach cricket's biggest T20 stage.
Key Takeaways
Billy Konstas , elder brother of Australian Test opener Sam Konstas , has been named in Greece's 14-member squad for the ICC T20 WC 2028 European Qualifiers.
The tournament runs from 14 to 21 August in Finland , across the Kerava National Cricket Ground and Tikkurila Sports Park Cricket Ground .
Billy is yet to make his international debut; he plays Sydney grade cricket and works as a cricket coach and physiotherapist .
Greek-Australian leg-spinning all-rounder Blake Faunce has also been included in the squad.
The Hellenic Cricket Federation (HCF) is reportedly in talks with Blake Nikitaras and Peter Hatzoglou to further strengthen the side.
Greece face 9 other European nations including Germany, Spain, and Finland in a competitive qualifier pool.
Greece have named Billy Konstas, the elder brother of Australian Test opener Sam Konstas, in their 14-member squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2028 European Qualifiers, to be held in Finland from 14 to 21 August. The selection marks a notable family milestone, with Billy yet to make his international debut despite consistent performances in Sydney grade cricket.
Who Is Billy Konstas
Billy Konstas, four years older than his younger brother Sam, has built a reputation in domestic cricket while also working as a cricket coach and physiotherapist. His call-up to the Greek national squad is a reward for sustained performances at the grade level, even without prior international caps. Beyond cricket, his dual career in coaching and sports medicine adds a unique dimension to the squad.
His younger brother, Sam Konstas, made a high-profile international debut for Australia against India in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in December 2024, quickly establishing himself as one of the more exciting young openers in world cricket.
Key Selections and Squad Additions
Alongside Billy Konstas, Greece have included Greek-Australian leg-spinning all-rounder Blake Faunce, according to reports, as the side looks to strengthen its bowling options ahead of a demanding qualification campaign. The Hellenic Cricket Federation (HCF) is also reportedly in talks with Australian cricketers of Greek heritage — including Blake Nikitaras and Peter Hatzoglou — in the hope of bolstering the squad further before the tournament begins.
Tournament Format and Venues
The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2028 European Qualifiers will feature 10 European nations vying for a berth in the next stage of the global qualification pathway. The T20 World Cup 2028 itself will be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Matches in Finland will be played simultaneously across two venues: the Kerava National Cricket Ground and the Tikkurila Sports Park Cricket Ground.
Greece's Competition and Inspiration
Greece face a competitive field in the qualifiers, drawn alongside Bulgaria, Czechia, Finland, Germany, Isle of Man, Israel, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Spain. Every side in the group will be fighting to keep their T20 World Cup qualification hopes alive.
The Greeks can draw motivation from Italy, who made history by qualifying for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 — their first-ever appearance at the tournament. Italy managed one win from four matches before exiting in the group stage, but their qualification through the sub-regional European pathway demonstrated that associate nations from the continent can earn a place on cricket's biggest T20 stage. Greece will be hoping to replicate that journey in 2028.
With the qualifiers less than three weeks away, the HCF's recruitment drive and the inclusion of diaspora talent signal an ambitious push to move beyond the associate tier and into the global spotlight.
Point of View
Blake Faunce, and potentially Peter Hatzoglou is a deliberate strategy to punch above their associate-nation weight. The risk is that diaspora availability is always fragile: domestic contracts, fitness, and IPL-adjacent commitments can unravel squads overnight. Italy's 2026 qualification showed the European pathway is real, but also that making the tournament and competing in it are very different things. Greece's ambition is legitimate; the execution over the next three weeks in Finland will tell us whether the talent pipeline the HCF is building is ready to convert.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Billy Konstas and why has he been picked for Greece?
Billy Konstas is a Sydney grade cricketer and the elder brother of Australian Test opener Sam Konstas. He has been selected in Greece's 14-member squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2028 European Qualifiers on the basis of his domestic performances, despite not yet having made an international debut.
When and where are the ICC T20 World Cup 2028 European Qualifiers being held?
The qualifiers run from 14 to 21 August in Finland, with matches played at the Kerava National Cricket Ground and the Tikkurila Sports Park Cricket Ground. Ten European nations will compete for a place in the next stage of the T20 World Cup 2028 qualification pathway.
Which teams is Greece competing against in the European Qualifiers?
Greece have been drawn in a 10-team field alongside Bulgaria, Czechia, Finland, Germany, Isle of Man, Israel, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Spain. All sides are competing for advancement in the T20 World Cup 2028 qualification campaign.
Who else has Greece included in their squad for the qualifiers?
Alongside Billy Konstas, Greece have included Greek-Australian leg-spinning all-rounder Blake Faunce. The Hellenic Cricket Federation is also reportedly in discussions with Blake Nikitaras and Peter Hatzoglou about representing Greece during the campaign.
How does Italy's 2026 T20 World Cup qualification inspire Greece?
Italy became the first European associate nation to qualify for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2026, doing so through the sub-regional European pathway. Although Italy managed only one win in four group-stage matches, their qualification showed that European teams can reach cricket's biggest T20 stage — a precedent Greece are now aiming to follow in 2028.
