Sam Konstas: Are you on board with him?

[sherb]

50 runs at 8.33 in this series.

Coincidentally, the same return as the late Keith Stackpole in his final Test series in NZ. That series prompted his retirement.

Not that I am expecting Konstas to retire of course, but he's going to have to score some serious Shield runs to be considered for the first Ashes Test imo.

 

[Black Diamond]

My prediction is he will be dropped, then score decent runs in the Shield before being picked as opener for the first Ashes test.

It is more likely he will finish next summer in Premier Cricket IMO.

 

[Black Diamond]

50 runs at 8.33 in this series.

Coincidentally, the same return as the late Keith Stackpole in his final Test series in NZ. That series prompted his retirement.

Not that I am expecting Konstas to retire of course, but he's going to have to score some serious Shield runs to be considered for the first Ashes Test imo.

Nic Maddinson managed 27 runs at 6.75 in his only three tests.

 

[Run n Spread]

There is enough raw talent to work with.
Reckon he was caught in 2 minds this tour to back his eye and instincts vs conventional cricket. (Getting dropped for Sri Lanka through part his unconventional approach played a part in that and muddled him).
Granted he now has had a fair enough shot/sample sizeand his numbers don't stack up to hold his spot.
Hopefully he hones a technique and approach that works for him.and can come back in a couple of years.

 

[corbies]

My prediction is he will be dropped, then score decent runs in the Shield before being picked as opener for the first Ashes test.

If he plays the first Ashes test he wouldn't be dropped as that's the next Test Australia plays?

 

[iDon]

If he plays the first Ashes test he wouldn't be dropped as that's the next Test Australia plays?

If we stupidly play him first test he will get first 3 and will need to just smack one fifty to see all 5 out.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Somehow we have two openers more of a liability than if England keep Crawley.

I don't think Khawaja going into his shell is helping Konstas find his feet at test level.
But we need to send him back to further refine his game at Shield level.

 

[Soggy2112]

McDonald has already flagged that what happens in the Shield will have much more effect on the decision for who opens in the Ashes then what has happened in the Caribbean. Which makes sense as the conditions have been really tough and I doubt any of the other options would have faired better.

That being said, I don’t think Sam is the smart option tactically for the Ashes. Numbers 4-7 are going along really nicely, and Green is finding his feet at 3, so I think we just want someone who can average 30 or so and hold up an end to allow the middle order a chance to go to work, instead of chasing a match winner.

I’m not sure where Labs plans to bat in the shield but he’s probably the guy who I’d be most confident in being able to bat 20 overs at the top of the order on a consistent basis.

 

[jannissary]

think he's hard to place. no one else is exactly vying for the spot, so he'll stay in so long as no one really gets any form moving forward. i'm a bancroft fan but i think that ship has slowly, steadily sailed.

 

[foxdog50]

In any other era I'd drop him but I would give him the 3rd test. He needs some shield cricket though.

I would drop Khawaja before Konstas

I think both need to be dropped... Usman is 36..
We need 2 new openers for the 1st game of the Ashes

 

[Around the Wicket]

yea but thats with a overall average ranging from 45-50... Australian fans will be all over him averaging in the 20's or low 30's lol

I was right he is copping it

 

[western royboy]

I think both need to be dropped... Usman is 36..
We need 2 new openers for the 1st game of the Ashes

Soon to be 39

 

[foxdog50]

Soon to be 39

Oooops that makes it even worse

 

[Soggy2112]

I think both need to be dropped... Usman is 36..
We need 2 new openers for the 1st game of the Ashes

I wouldn’t say drop him though. I would however be saying to him that he has to play Shield and prove that he is still the best option. If he chooses to rest then he loses his spot.

 

[Around the Wicket]

Soon to be 39

It’s funny when he was in his prime he got dropped couldn’t stay in the side, now his a old has been and he can’t get out of it

 

[darcytiger]

An insult to guys who have grinded a career out through grade and state cricket who would kill for a chance at just 1 test.

 

[Cleavy]

has a lot to work on before and during the early Shield games

 

[Westend]

I hope every one on here realises that we have just played a test series on one of the best bowling decks in recent memory against a duke ball that was pink one of the test against an attack that has three bowlers who can bowl at 140 clicks and swing it both ways .. very tough initiation for young Sam

If he can go back to the shield before the ashes and do well his name is still in the mix .. it’s not all over for the young fella

 

[Rabish Binney]

I hope every one on here realises that we have just played a test series on one of the best bowling decks in recent memory against a duke ball that was pink one of the test against an attack that has three bowlers who can bowl at 140 clicks and swing it both ways .. very tough initiation for young Sam

If he can go back to the shield before the ashes and do well his name is still in the mix .. it’s not all over for the young fella

There are 4 rounds of the Sheffield shield prior to the 1st test this summer

Think our whole test squad need to play in every available shield game for their respective states leading up to the 1st test.
But no doubt CA will play the 'he has to rest' card at some stage with some of them....

 

[DaRick]

He's had a nightmare tour.

The pitches haven't helped him, but he's clearly caught between just playing like he did in IND and trying to bat normally (which he doesn't have the game to do, especially on those tracks against this WI attack). So he's done neither.

See what happens before the Ashes and then reassess.

 

[Cleavy]

There are 4 rounds of the Sheffield shield prior to the 1st test this summer

Think our whole test squad need to play in every available shield game for their respective states leading up to the 1st test.
But no doubt CA will play the 'he has to rest' card at some stage with some of them....

or they pull everyone from the 4th round to go into camp ahead of the 1st Test.

 

[Soggy2112]

There are 4 rounds of the Sheffield shield prior to the 1st test this summer

Think our whole test squad need to play in every available shield game for their respective states leading up to the 1st test.
But no doubt CA will play the 'he has to rest' card at some stage with some of them....

I assume you only mean the batters.

It’s ridiculous to suggest the bowlers should be expected to play 4 shield games before a 5 match test series, particularly when there’s a T20 series against India in the lead up. Given there’s a World Cup in February I’d expect they’ll want the quicks to play some of those games.

1 shield game would be plenty.

 

[jb04]

If he can go back to the shield before the ashes and do well his name is still in the mix .. it’s not all over for the young fella

I worry about what this Caribbean test may have done for his confidence. I know very little of him personally, he ostensibly seems like a confidence player which is exacerbated by youth.

How this affects his approach to the opening Shield games will tell us a lot of what he's really made of, and to borrow one of those silly yet relevant American sports terms - his bouncebackability.

 

[sr36]

I worry about what this Caribbean test may have done for his confidence. I know very little of him personally, he ostensibly seems like a confidence player which is exacerbated by youth.

How this affects his approach to the opening Shield games will tell us a lot of what he's really made of, and to borrow one of those silly yet relevant American sports terms - his bouncebackability.

It helps that it was out of the country without the same level of focus as an Aussie test.

 

[peternorth]

Foxsports now getting into the act

The blunders by the 19-year-old helped the West Indies avoid New Zealand’s historic low of 26 runs that was recorded back in 1955.


If the two dropped catches weren’t enough, Konstas’ day got even worse when he failed to stop a ball that allowed the West Indies to avoid tying New Zealand’s historically low score of 26.

A delivery from Starc once again came off the outside edge of Joseph, this time however it stayed along the ground.

Unfortunately Konstas made a mess of the situation with the ball going straight through his hands and opening the door for Joseph to scurry through for a quick single.

Cameron Green instantly threw his hands on his head as Starc was left shaking his head at the misfield as the West Indies moved to 27 runs.

If that wasnt enough!!

Jamie Wall wrote on X: “Almost a great day for NZ cricket. Almost.”

NZ’s Alternative Commentary Collective wrote: “Sam Konstas owes New Zealand an apology!”

The Caribbean Cricket Podcast wrote: “Sam Konstas is a West Indian hero. Dropped 2 catches so we dont break the record for lowest ever Test score. Build that man a statue at every ground in the Caribbean.”

New Zealand’s Michael Appleton wrote: "Sadly, it seems like Sam Konstas’ biggest contribution in this Test series is to break the hearts of @BLACKCAPS’ fans with a drop and a miss.”