Sam Konstas can become a highly successful Test opener by being aggressive but he will not last long if he continues to bat in a reckless fashion. Konstas was a whirlwind of attacking shots on day two of the fifth Test but there was an air of inevitability about his innings coming to an end quickly. And that proved to be the case when he was out for 23 off 38 deliveries after nicking Mohammed Siraj to gully while trying to drive a swinging ball well away from his body.
Konstas had managed to middle one of his trademark reverse ramps off Jasprit Bumrah the previous over for four. More Cricket That shot is fine, as long as it works, but some of the other slogs Konstas played – agricultural cross-bat swings across the line – were high-risk shots when his team needed him to play the percentages. In the same over he also swung wildly to square leg and was fortunate that his leading edge just went wide of the mid-off fielder.
Australia’s previous coach, Justin Langer, on Seven commentary warned that Konstas was playing a dangerous game the ball before he was dismissed by wafting at Siraj’s outswingers as they hooped past the outside edge. His successor, Andrew McDonald, needs to rein in Konstas’ cavalier approach because after they had already lost Marnus Labuschagne for two on top of Usman Khawaja’s dismissal late on day one, his departure left the Aussies in a precarious position at 3-35 in reply to India’s 185. Konstas’ impetuosity also meant Travis Head was expo.
