David Warner has urged Sam Konstas to ignore the inevitable barbs from the UK press and English cricket fans ahead of next summer’s Ashes after a leading British journalist described the Australian youngster as the sport’s version of Raygun.
Konstas, who will play for the Thunder against the Sixers on Friday night in Sydney, stunned the cricket world by blasting 60 on Test debut in an innings that will forever be remembered for audacious ramp shots off one of the game’s best fast bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah.
Scores of 60, eight, 23 and 22 gave Konstas a return of 113 runs at an average of 28.25 from his first two Tests, both of which Australia won.
However, it was his bold approach that has polarised cricket fans.
Some are convinced he is a once-in-a-generation talent. Others believe he’s a slogger who won’t survive as a Test opener.
In a column for the Guardian, respected sports writer Barney Ronay likened Konstas to infamous Australian breakdancer Raygun, whose comical Olympic performance propelled her into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Australia’s Rachael Gunn, known as B-Girl Raygun, competes at the Paris Olympics. Credit: AP
“There was a sense during the India series of Konstas being installed as a cricketing version of Raygun the Olympic breakdancer, a fun, gimmicky approximation of the real thing,” Ronay wrote.
“This is a nation that seems convinced the future of cricket is a spunky, mulletted, wispy-moustachioed bloke who hasn’t scored any runs but whacks it in interesting ways.
“But what are the odds he has already made his highest Test score?”
Warner, often portrayed as a villain in the British press, said the teenager shouldn’t waste his time when it comes to criticism from afar.
Sam Konstas produces the ramp shot against India.Credit: Fox Cricket
“Thankfully news doesn’t travel from that side of the world to Australia, unless you read the Daily Mail,” said Warner, who will captain the Thunder in Friday’s match at the SCG. “My point of view with Sam is just to let it go.
“At the end of the day, it makes you perform better.
“You know they want you to fail, but by you performing, it shuts them up.
“I can’t wait for the Barmy Army to actually come out next year. I might be able to throw a few barbs from the commentary box. It’s always going to be a great series. It’d be exciting for him to be a part of that, permitting form.”
Sam Konstas and David Warner batting for the Sydney Thunder.Credit: Getty Images
England sit sixth on the World Test Championship standings and failed to make another final. Australia and South Africa will square off in a decider in June at Lord’s.
England haven’t won an Ashes series for 10 years – at home or in Australia.
Konstas is eager to be involved when Australia face England in the first Test in Perth on November 21.
“I’m just loving life, just trying to be in the moment,” Konstas told reporters on Thursday. “I don’t get too fazed by what other people say. Obviously, they’ve got their opinions, but I’m just trying to be me and just be authentic.
“I’m just in my bubble, really. My phone’s been blowing up these past few days as well. I’ve got close family and I know what’s right for me. Just trying to focus on tomorrow’s game and be in the present.
“I remember when I was a kid watching Mitchell Johnson play Alastair Cook and all those legends. Hopefully if I do get an opportunity, I’ll take it with both hands.”
Senior Australian players Pat Cummins and Marnus Labuschagne have also expressed confusion at the comparisons to Raygun.
“I don’t even know where to take that,” Cummins told Channel Seven news. “I’m pretty happy with Sammy, so I don’t really care what the UK think.”
Labuschagne added: “That’s English media. It wasn’t a series where there were necessarily big hundreds, but impactful scores along the way set you up to win games. His 60 at the MCG got the ball rolling that shifted everyone into being able to put runs on the board. The impact he had on the series was definitely valuable.”
A crowd of more than 40,000 is expected at the SCG on Friday for the last regular season match for the Sixers and Thunder, who will both play in the finals. Their final position on the ladder will be determined by Sunday evening.
It will be the last game for Test squad members Konstas, Steve Smith, Sean Abbott and Todd Murphy before they travel to the UAE for a brief camp ahead of a two-Test series against Sri Lanka.
“It’s a credit to the guys coming back from the Test set-up and the boys involved in this game that they are embracing the BBL,” Warner said.
“Every stadium has been pretty much sold out, which is exciting for the players, but it just shows you how much the BBL is growing.”
