The adage that you “ignore youth at your peril” was uppermost in my thoughts as both a selector and captain during a prior life.
Having copped my fair share of flak for championing youth, I cannot but commend the brave selection of Sam Konstas.
The wisdom of trusting young talent at the right time is not merely about the future; it is about seizing the day now. The day and the moment have arrived, and Sam Konstas will walk out to bat with Usman Khawaja at the MCG.
At just 19, Konstas is on the precipice of history. He will be the youngest ever to open the batting in a Test for Australia. His debut on Boxing Day is both exciting and daunting. Konstas possesses the temperament and ability to thrive, as evidenced by prodigious run-scoring and rapid adaptation.
I have always believed that it is the job of selectors to unearth champions, not pick those who make up the numbers. If you pick the right player, even if you have to drop them at some point in the future, they will reflect on what they need to improve and come back stronger.
Konstas burst onto the scene during this year’s under-19 World Cup. With a sublime century in the Super Sixes match against the West Indies, he displayed a poise and maturity that belied his years. His ability to dominate attacks with precision rather than brute force has drawn comparisons to some of Australia’s finest.
Sam Konstas has all the attributes required to be a champion Test batsman.Credit: Getty Images
In domestic cricket, Konstas has continued to justify the hype. This season, in the Sheffield Shield, he announced himself with back-to-back centuries against South Australia. He is the first teenager to score two centuries in a game since Ricky Ponting.
His 152 in the first innings was an exhibition of composure under pressure, and he followed it with a fluent 105 in the second. These knocks highlighted his ability to bat long and deep – a crucial quality for a Test opener.
Adding to his accolades, Konstas recently made his debut for the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League. While the format required a shift in tempo, he adjusted seamlessly, scoring 56 on debut. It is rare for a player of his age to demonstrate such versatility, yet Konstas makes it look effortless.
The retirement of David Warner left a significant void at the top of Australia’s Test batting order. Warner, a left-handed trailblazer, redefined opening batting with his aggressive strokeplay across all formats. Konstas, a right-hander, offers a contrasting yet equally compelling approach. His classical technique and ability to adapt to the nuances of the game suggest he could become an all-format player without the need for drastic alterations to his style – an attribute that is as rare as it is valuable.
Sam Konstas on his way to twin tons against South Australia.Credit: Getty Images
Konstas is not Warner’s clone; rather, he is his natural successor. The hallmark of his game is the balance between aggression and caution, an equilibrium that has allowed him to succeed against a variety of bowlers. While Warner’s brilliance often lay in audacious stroke-making, Konstas thrives on calculated precision. This is not to say he lacks flair; rather, his flair is underpinned by sound fundamentals.
Konstas will face the sternest of examinations in the Boxing Day Test. India’s Jasprit Bumrah, the best fast bowler in the world and among the finest of all time, will be waiting. Bumrah’s ability to move the ball late at high speeds, combined with his unorthodox action, has unsettled even the most seasoned batters.
It would have been tempting for the selectors to opt for a more experienced player – perhaps Josh Inglis or Beau Webster– to counter India’s challenge. Yet experience is often overvalued. Youth, in its innocence and fearlessness, can be the antidote to adversity. Konstas, unscarred by past failures, represents a bold yet logical choice.
History offers us ample evidence of the virtues of trusting young talent. Neil Harvey, as a teenager, dazzled in England during the 1948 Ashes, while Doug Walters scored centuries in each of his first two Tests as a 19-year-old. Even Ricky Ponting, who debuted at the comparatively mature age of 20, showed he was ready for Test cricket with a sublime 96 on debut – though his initial stay in the team was brief. What separates success from failure at this level is not always talent but the willingness to learn, adapt, and persevere. Konstas has shown he possesses these qualities in abundance.
Keeping Konstas at the domestic level for too long risks stunting his development. The longer a player remains in an environment where they are already competent, the harder it becomes to make the leap to a higher grade. Test cricket presents unique challenges that cannot be replicated elsewhere. It takes time – five to 10 matches, as a rule of thumb – for a player to acclimatise. The sooner Konstas begins this process, the better.
Some argue that exposure to failure at the highest level can damage a young player’s confidence. Yet failure is an integral part of cricket, and learning to cope with it is the hallmark of a champion. Sir Donald Bradman, the greatest of all, was dismissed cheaply more often than he scored centuries. What defined him was his ability to return stronger after each setback. Konstas, like all great players, will need to embrace failure as a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block.
Australian cricket finds itself at a crossroads. The transition from one generation to the next is never easy, but it is inevitable. With Cameron Green already showing his class, the addition of Konstas could herald the dawn of a new golden era. Together, they represent the future of Australian batting – one built on skill, determination, and a fearless approach to the game.
If Konstas succeeds, Australia could gain a cornerstone of their batting line-up for the next 15 years. If he struggles initially, he will return to domestic cricket richer for the experience and better equipped to succeed in the future. The rewards far outweigh the risks.
The Boxing Day Test is no ordinary match. Played before a packed MCG crowd and millions watching around the world, it is a stage that demands character and courage. Konstas has shown us he has both. Selecting him is a statement of intent – not just for this summer but for the future of Australian cricket.
Youth should not be ignored but embraced. Sam Konstas has earned his chance. Give him the stage he deserves and let him take off.
