Sam Konstas made a memorable Test Debut as he hit 3 unorthodox shots in a single over against Bumrah and hit a Maiden Test 50 as he made his mark into International Cricket.
Already, one thing is obvious. Sam Konstas’ Test debut on Boxing Day in Melbourne will be covered in a number of “I was there” stories, TV specials, and newspaper articles. With a bush of hair peeking out from his helmet and a pencil-thin mustache, the Greek-born lad stood up to Virat Kohli, blasted the Indians, and gazed at their bowlers without taking a step back. En route to a thrilling half-century, he reverse-lapped Bumrah, lap-scooted, then backed off to smash Mohammad Siraj.
Everyone was aware of Sam Konstas’s batting strategy for his debut. See ball, hit ball was what he himself had said. Would he be able to live up to the hype in front of about 90,000 people? After hitting his opening partner Usman Khawaja’s gloves, he sprinted from the boundary to the middle of the field. He tapped the center of the field, spoke with the umpire, and waited for Khawaja, who had opted for a leisurely pace, to enter. Sam walked to the opposite end, from where Bumrah was going to bowl the first ball of the MCG Test, after receiving another glove punch. Prior to the game, Konstas had already mentioned Bumrah and his goal for the world’s best bowler
When Bumrah continued to shape the ball away late in the first over, tempting the outside edge, it wasn’t immediately apparent. Four balls nearly struck the corners of the bat. Before a bunted single to the on side released pressure, he was unable to center the ball as effectively.y.”
Whether or not there is stare back, Sam Konstas enjoys looking back at the bowler. an adorable 19-year-old who has watched cricket all of his life. Bumrah peered across with a little smirk on his face a few times. And then the time had arrived when the audience was waiting.
Sam Konstas shifted his right leg to the side and then shimmied it back off. The Indians would have known that’s the signal he provides for the lap-scoops during the tour game in Canberra. As the ball sank into the keeper’s hands, he would miss a few efforts. There was almost a nervous laugh in the stands as he did that for the first time. He soon charged out but missed once more. KL Rahul would approach him from third slip, a little ahead of him. Sam Konstas was walking square-leg when he paused, looked up at the sky, and opened his eyes wide, nearly absorbing the sunlight and acclimating to it.
The seventh over of the day followed. Bumrah’s opening ball was scooped by Sam Konstas and sent to the fine-leg boundary. The next one was reverse-scooped for a six over third man as Bumrah sent it fuller and just outside off. He attempted to charge out the next ball but failed. Rahul ran over to recover the ball, but Rohit signaled to him to keep put when the sixth ball was lapped over to third man for a four.
The Indians were starting to participate more now. As he passed the stumps, Siraj spoke a few words, Kohli stared at him, and as Konstas retreated to smash a four, he nearly rushed down and stared at Siraj. Quickly stepping in, the umpire spoke with Konstas.
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