Cricket is often celebrated as a contest between bat and ball, but occasionally, it evolves into a battle between players themselves. Such was the case during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, where young Australian opener Sam Konstas found himself in the thick of the action. Konstas became a central talking point after making his Test debut for Australia during the iconic Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. His performances, coupled with fiery exchanges with several Indian players, fueled intense debate within the cricketing community. Amid the ongoing buzz, former England pacer Steve Harmison shared his doubts about the long-term prospects of the youngster in the longest format of the game.
Steve Harmison shares his take over Sam Konstas’ potential to play Test cricket
The 19-year-old Australian opener got involved in a heated exchange with former Indian skipper Virat Kohli in Melbourne after a shoulder clash forced the two players to throw heated remarks at each other. Later on, Konstas became a major talking point in the series once again when he got involved in a tussle with Jasprit Bumrah in the dying moments of Day 4 of the final Test in Sydney.
These clashes with the Indian players has forced the English legend Harmison to share his remarks over Konstas’ future. Analysing his character and the recent Test performances, Harmison opined that Konstas’ ability to play Test cricket at the highest level is limited and playing him can prove to be a double-faced sword for the Australian team.
“Part of me thinks Sam Konstas won’t play even 10 Test matches. Part of me thinks this kid can be an absolute superstar if he delivers. He’s got the chat, he’s got the ramps, he’s got the scoops, he’s got the big shots, but has he got a defensive technique to open the batting in Test match cricket against the world’s best?,” Harmison remarked during a discussion on talkSPORT cricket.
Additionally, Harmison pointed out at the technical abilities of the 19-year-old Konstas and questioned whether intensity and character are enough for him to play against able opposition sides for a long period of time. Australia have a long season of Test cricket ahead as they head to Sri Lanka to play a 2-match Test series after which they will defend the coveted Test mace against South Africa in the WTC finals at the Lord’s. The Test cricket action for the Aussies will continue at the end of the year as they will face England to defend The Ashes on their home soil.
“I look at him and think he just wants to be David Warner and technically he’s nowhere near as good as David and that for me, if he is opening the batting against England, I’d be happy. I really would. I know we are a really long way away from The Ashes,” Harmsion concluded.
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Konstas’ rollercoaster Test cricket journey so far
Konstas had shown promising signs in the Australian first class cricket which earned him a rare opportunity to feature in the Prime Minister’s XI squad in a warm-up match against India before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Konstas played an empathic 107-run knock in the match against Indians and set the tone of his Test debut in the near future.
The Australian team called him to the squad after the 3rd Test in Brisbane. Opening batter Nathan McSweeney was having a difficult time with the bat in the series and the Australian team management decided to give Konstas a chance to have a dream debut in the Boxing Day Test match in Melbourne. The youngster did not disappoint and started his Test career in a sensational manner. Konstas played a storming 60-run knock off 65 balls and announced his arrival in a remarkable fashion.