Despite a modest Test career of just five matches, with 163 runs in 10 innings and a highest score of 60, Sam Konstas has remained a constant topic of discussion in Australian cricket circles. Even after some underwhelming performances following his Test debut, the Australian selector George Bailey remarked, “Sammy (Sam Konstas) makes headlines even if he just sneezes.”
The 20-year-old Konstas, however, will not be part of Australia’s squad for the first Ashes Test starting in Perth on 21 November. In his place, the selectors have included Jack Weatherald, who is yet to make his Test debut. Today, Australia’s selectors announced a 15-man squad with Steven Smith appointed as captain for the Perth Test.
Konstas first came into the spotlight during last year’s Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. On 26 December, against India, he impressed with aggressive batting in his first innings. His reverse-sweep shots and willingness to leave his crease to attack Jasprit Bumrah were widely praised.
However, following that innings of 60, his performances gradually declined. In his last three innings, he has twice been dismissed for a duck, and in his last nine innings, his highest score is only 25. As a result, he has been left out of the Ashes squad. Konstas will return to the New South Wales team to play in the Sheffield Shield but may also participate in preparation matches against the visiting England side.
During the squad announcement press conference, Bailey expressed sympathy for Konstas, stating, “I feel bad for Sammi because it seems even if he sneezes, it makes headlines. Across the country, several young cricketers of his age are playing Shield cricket, all striving to become their best. Sam is no exception.”
Bailey advised Konstas to focus on batting and scoring runs in the Sheffield Shield. He clarified that his earlier comments about Konstas “making headlines for trivial reasons” were not meant as a joke: “The attention he receives simply for playing is exceptional compared to other players in similar positions in the country. The focus on him is almost unprecedented.”
Australian cricket legend and former captain Steve Waugh, who turned 20 last October, has also expressed empathy for Konstas. Waugh sees parallels between Konstas’ situation and his own early career struggles: “He reminds me of my early days – not being fully confident in his position, experiencing ups and downs, and struggling with form.”
Waugh advised Konstas to return to domestic cricket to develop his game: “Learning how to play Test cricket is difficult and takes time. I went back to Shield cricket, built long innings, batted as much as possible, and tried to better understand my game. That is the best way forward for him too.”
Australia Squad for the Perth Test:
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Steven Smith | Captain |
| Shaun Abbott | – |
| Scott Boland | – |
| Alex Carey | – |
| Brendan Doggett | – |
| Cameron Green | – |
| Josh Hazlewood | – |
| Travis Head | – |
| Josh Inglis | – |
| Usman Khawaja | – |
| Marnus Labuschagne | – |
| Nathan Lyon | – |
| Mitchell Starc | – |
| Jack Weatherald | – |
| Beau Webster | – |
Konstas’ omission from the Perth Test squad highlights the challenges young cricketers face in converting early promise into consistent performances at the highest level. Despite not making the squad, his talent remains evident, and selectors hope that continued domestic cricket will allow him to refine his skills for future international opportunities.