Sam Konstas has won over Australia’s bowlers, with Mitchell Starc declaring there is no reason why the teenage prodigy won’t be able to handle Test cricket.
One week after blazing twin tons against South Australia, Konstas shared a net session with Steve Smith on Friday at NSW training.
The 19-year-old is realistically one big score away from mounting a serious case for Test selection, with Smith’s old spot at the top of the order now up for grabs.
Konstas will have all eyes on him come Sunday’s Sheffield Shield clash against Victoria, with Marcus Harris also fighting to claim the vacant opening spot.
Sam Konstas. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
Harris and Konstas will then enter Australia A camp alongside Cameron Bancroft in Mackay, with the Test squad to be announced shortly after a fixture against India A.
Konstas’ two centuries last week made him the youngest player since Ricky Ponting to achieve the feat in the Shield, and has him on the precipice of selection.
Rain stopped the right-hander from facing Australia’s Test attack in the Blues’ nets on Friday, but he has previously had a working over from Starc at NSW training.
And while Starc would not be drawn into whether Konstas’ time should come this summer, he had seen enough to believe the young talent could succeed.
“I have seen a lot with young guys when they score runs or take wickets, it’s let’s throw them in the deep end. It works for some, sometimes it doesn’t,” Starc said.
“Thankfully I don’t have to select teams … But obviously there are a lot of young guys and NSW guys in that Australia A squad, he’s got entry up to the top.
“There’s no reason (for him) not to (handle it).
“He’s obviously got the talent, got the work ethic, he’s a lovely young man.
“Time will tell. If he’s not picked this summer then I am sure runs on the board will help him in the long run.”
Starc will play his first Shield game of the summer against Victoria, but was at NSW’s Cricket Central last week to see Konstas’ centuries.
“He looks pretty set in his game,” Starc said.
“He works his butt off in the nets, got a world of talent, and that obviously translates into success on the field. Whatever he is doing is clearly working.
“Obviously really young and talented. Those runs in the Shield game are only going to do him the world of good.
“Hopefully that translates into a big Shield season. If there are higher honours, fantastic. If not, hopefully he is scoring lots of runs for NSW.”
Konstas’ selection in the Australia A squad will leave NSW with a headache at the top of their order, with Daniel Hughes ruled out for up to 10 weeks with a fractured elbow.
The veteran domestic star is now in a race against the clock to be fit for the start of the Sydney Sixers’ BBL campaign.
© AAP