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“I’m a bit rattled by that”: Whateley reacts to Konstas’ concerning Shield dismissal
SEN • February 18th, 2025 1:58 pm
Sam Konstas has again found himself in the spotlight after his intriguing Sheffield Shield innings against Victoria on Tuesday morning.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, New South Wales started with a flurry as Konstas and opening partner Nic Maddinson took 30 from the first 12 balls, with Konstas hitting a ramp shot boundary off the bowling of Scott Boland on just the second ball of the game.
After taking Boland for 10 off his first over, Konstas came unstuck on the first ball of his second, being bowled by the Victorian as he tried to slog sweep for six.
While the two-Test teenager captured Aussie cricket hearts for his aggression and similar play style against Jasprit Bumrah during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, SEN’s Gerard Whateley isn’t sure whether this plan will lead to long-term success.
Whateley questioned whether Konstas will remain in the side if he keeps batting with such an attacking flurry and he doesn’t think the 19-year-old’s plan is sustainable at the top level.
“He may be scrambled, but he played with such predetermined aggression that I think you're entitled to read these seven balls at face value – that’s exactly what he went out there to do,” Whateley said on SEN Mornings.
“That's not going to, I don't think, be long-term successful in Test cricket.
“He’s 19, but he Is the incumbent Australian opener. So, you have to measure both.
“I hope he's successful, but I can't see him being successful playing like that.
“He's got three Shield games, so five innings to go. If he plays the rest of the Shield season like that, does he open at the World Test Championship? I don't know the answer to that.
“I just had him as a lock (previously)… I’m a bit rattled by that innings.”
Since the Sydney Test in January, Konstas was overlooked for the two-Test series in Sri Lanka but has made scores of 3 & 22 in the Shield match against Queensland and 116 in the One Day match, also against the Bulls, in recent weeks.
