Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Konstas makes radical changes in bid to secure Ashes spot
SEN • August 19th, 2025 1:59 pm
In a bid to resurrect his Ashes campaign, Australian teen Sam Konstas is on a self-imposed social media ban as he looks to secure his spot in the squad for the forthcoming series against England.
After a less than impressive trip to the West Indies, where Konstas averaged 8.3 runs for a total of just 50 across six innings, opportunities to convince selectors between now and November will be limited.
Konstas is currently training with Australia A under the guidance of Tim Paine and will play for NSW in the Shield as he looks to secure the nod to potentially open alongside Usman Khawaja in the first Test at Optus Stadium.
Willing to do whatever it takes, Konstas is eliminating all distractions, admitting he has previously become “fixated” on social media.
“I’m just trying to be in the present moment and score runs in whatever format I play,” he told News Corp, fresh from signing a four-year deal to play for Sydney Thunder in the BBL. “If I tick that off, then let the selectors make their choice.
“I’m actually off Instagram now, so that’s a new one.
“I’m just trying to be more present and I’m trying to stay focused and driven to make the Ashes squad and the team.
“Sometimes you do get fixated on (social media), even if it’s Instagram reels or something. It’s good for me to switch off that and try and be more in the moment.
“It’s about (not wasting time) and not having that distraction. I’m trying to give myself the best opportunity to perform at the highest level.”
Konstas was forced into the spotlight following his heroics against India at the MCG last December. The hype around him has been monumental and something he has shouldered with incredible poise.
The West Indies, he admits “just wasn’t his tour” and he was not alone in struggling on the surfaces.
Konstas said he has been well supported by the squad since returning from the Carribean and feels fortunate to have some of the best in the world advising him on his future.
“I feel like every cricketer is going to go through that. You’re going to have your ups and downs,” he said.
“One of the Aussie boys was saying even the best players in the world fail 70 per cent and perform 30 per cent of the time. I feel like it’s just a great learning to have and I feel like I’ll become a better cricketer experiencing that.
“I’ve got great mentors, obviously, Pat Cummins, reaching out all the time, having a chat.
“Steve Smith, talking about batting. I’d always text him, and he just gives me advice on what to get better with, and I’m very fortunate to have that support. It means a lot from legends that play the game, and dominate, so I can’t get better than that.
“The biggest thing Pat has said is to have a bit of downtime. He’s been an outstanding captain and someone who I look up to.”
With much debate around who should open for Australia and, moreover, who make the final squad for the Ashes, it will be all eyes on runs scored in the Shield.
The 2025-26 sedition of the competition gets underway on October 4 and most Ashes hopefuls will have four opportunities to stake their claim before selection is announced.
