No Pressure. I Understand

Galle, Jan 29 (NationPress) Nineteen-year-old Australian cricket sensation Sam Konstas exhibited remarkable composure and professionalism following his exclusion from the playing XI for the first Test against Sri Lanka. Selector Tony Dodemaide emphasized that Konstas remains an integral part of Australia's future plans and shared the young talent's dignified reaction to being dropped for the opener.

"Much of the discussion has suggested that this tour is inconsequential. However, it carries significant weight; it’s Test cricket. That’s our main focus. Omitting Sammy was a tough decision. We had extensive discussions. We believe he is on an incredible journey. He is exceptionally talented, although he hasn’t had much experience in this region. Yet, he will adapt swiftly, no doubt."

“There are many aspects to admire about Sam. One of the most impressive is his capacity to handle situations with grace. It’s truly remarkable, whether facing 90,000 fans and Jasprit Bumrah at the MCG or hearing that he’s been left out of the Test. His response was, ‘Oh yeah mate, no stress. I get it,’” Dodemaide remarked during a press interaction in Galle.

While he did not confirm a return for the upcoming series, Dodemaide stated that Konstas remains a contender for the second Test, depending on the results of the Galle match.

“We won’t speculate on what’s next, but clearly, he has done a lot right, hasn’t he? He’s an exciting talent. We’re eager to identify successor players, as there will inevitably be some turnover in the coming years, and he has certainly made his mark. He possesses a wealth of talent and versatility in his game.”

“He’s got various gears in his game which he will continue to refine, especially with the experiences he will gain on these pitches, which he hasn’t encountered much before. We value Sammy. It’s clear he has immense talent, and we hope he becomes a long-term asset for us,” Dodemaide added.

In contrast, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting criticized the selectors for excluding the young talent, labeling it a "missed opportunity" to further his development at the international level.

"I genuinely don’t like this decision... I anticipated Konstas would play and open the batting. In just two Test matches, they will be competing in the World Test Championship in England, and Konstas will likely be back in the squad then. We’ve seen Travis Head perform well as an opener in the sub-continent before. No doubt he would aim to give Australia a strong start and bat aggressively, but I believe this was a significant missed opportunity for the Australians to understand more about Sam Konstas," Ponting stated on Channel 7.

Nevertheless, Dodemaide defended the decision, highlighting the importance of achieving Australia’s first Test series victory in Sri Lanka since 2011.

Konstas, who has participated in two Tests for Australia, has an impressive first-class cricket record. In 13 matches, he has accumulated 831 runs at an average of 39.57, which includes two centuries and four fifties. His debut during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy featured a half-century.