Teenage prodigy Sam Konstas has announced his arrival on the big stage with a stunning century for New South Wales against South Australia in Sydney. The 19-year-old opener struck 152 runs on day one of the Blues’ Sheffield Shield season opener, showcasing his immense talent and potential.
Konstas, who was a key member of Australia’s U19 World Cup-winning team last year, has long been touted as one of the country’s brightest young prospects. And he lived up to the hype on Tuesday, displaying a maturity and composure beyond his years.
The right-hander cover-drove superbly throughout his innings, and took to spinner Ben Manenti by hitting him down the ground for three sixes. He brought up his century off his 163rd ball in the final over of the second session, nudging Brendan Doggett down to backward-square for a single.
Konstas’ first Sheffield Shield ton came with Australia’s chief selector George Bailey in attendance. While the youngster is not yet in the conversation for the Test opening spot, good judges expect him to one day figure.
Konstas made his Shield debut for NSW last summer, and amid glimpses of promise he brought up a maiden half-century in the last round against Queensland. But he looks a far more accomplished and confident batter this summer.
He used his feet well to spin, and swept Nathan McSweeney for a big six before offering up his only chance with a missed stumping by Alex Carey. The youngster then brought up 150 by flat-batting a Lloyd Pope full toss over the legside. He was eventually caught at slip off the legspinner, when adjudged to have inside-edged a ball onto Carey’s legs before it was caught by McSweeney.
“It was an amazing achievement. Obviously, it’s good to get my first one,” Konstas said. “I just have to be hungry for runs. And whatever teams I make, it’s a bonus.”
With Shane Watson as his mentor, Konstas is a regular meditator before games and rushes to the wicket at the start of his innings.
“A big thing [I learned from last summer] was my mental stuff, just keeping simple plans and how can I do it for longer?” Konstas said. “I try to be calm.”
“I did [meditate] this morning, and then I was trying to do that on the field. Just breathing and using it to switch me on and off.”
“It worked today.”
Konstas’ runs came as wickets fell around him under heavy cloud cover and light drizzle. Moises Henriques (five) and Matthew Gilkes (10) both fell to loose shots outside off stump, while Nic Maddinson was caught charging Manenti on 12.
Oliver Davies provided some brief fireworks before being bowled by Jordan Buckingham for 37, while Josh Philippe hit 56 in his first Shield game for the Blues. Philippe was eventually stumped off Pope, as the South Australia spinner finished the day with 3 for 61 and NSW suffered a collapse of 3 for 17. Umpires called off play shortly after due to bad light, infuriating visiting captain McSweeney given he had kept his spinners bowling.
