'That's just cricket!' - Sam Konstas addresses Kohli clash & facing Bumrah’s bowling! Fox Cricket

Summary

Sam reflects on his debut performance in a high-stakes cricket match, sharing his experience of facing top-tier bowlers like J. Bura and the excitement of playing in front of a massive crowd. He discusses his mental approach, including the freedom to back himself and premeditate shots, and his trust in his instincts. Sam emphasizes the support from teammates and mentors, including Pat Cummins and Shane Watson. He also touches on the evolving strategies in modern cricket, encouraging younger generations to take risks and put pressure on bowlers. His confident yet humble attitude underscores his commitment to pushing himself and the team forward.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sam felt a sense of surrealism playing in front of a big crowd, with this being the largest crowd he's ever played in front of.
• 😀 He received strong support from his teammates, which helped him play with freedom and confidence, resulting in a good performance.
• 😀 Despite getting a few runs, Sam expressed disappointment about how he got out, but remains hopeful for the team's momentum in the upcoming matches.
• 😀 There was a minor incident with Virat Kohli when they accidentally bumped while Sam was adjusting his gloves, which Sam attributed to the natural tension of the game.
• 😀 Sam emphasized the importance of freedom and self-belief, trying to bring the best out of every ball he faced.
• 😀 Sam highlighted the challenge of facing legendary bowler J. Bura, where he focused on putting pressure on him while learning from his skills.
• 😀 Sam described his struggle at the start of his battle with J. Bura, mainly getting used to the wicket and the bowler's action.
• 😀 Sam's spectacular shots were often premeditated, especially against fast bowlers. He focused on keeping his head still and watching the ball closely to execute his shots.
• 😀 He mentioned that his batting routine is about asserting dominance at the crease, aiming to control the game early on.
• 😀 Sam spoke about the ramp shot, which he had practiced with his batting coach and other team members, including Shane Watson. He felt it was the right moment to execute the shot in the game.
• 😀 Sam shared that he didn’t worry about looking foolish if he got out playing unconventional shots, as he had confidence in his preparation and the safety of his shots.
• 😀 He reflected on a special moment meeting cricket legend Mark Taylor, who encouraged him to back himself and embrace the opportunity to represent his country.
• 😀 Sam had watched several of the first three tests and felt that the Australian top order had struggled to score. He used that experience to free up his batting and be more aggressive.
• 😀 Sam believes the new generation of players is embracing positive cricket, including new shots and approaches, which contrast with the older focus on defending throughout the day.
• 😀 Sam responded to the pressure from Indian bowlers by staying calm and using the energy from the opposition to bring out his best performance, acknowledging that such challenges motivate him.

Q & A

How did you feel playing in front of such a big crowd for the first time?

It was surreal, obviously with the biggest crowd I've ever played in. I felt really welcomed by the boys, and it was great to play with that freedom and back myself. I’m lucky to get a few runs, but I’m also a bit disappointed with the way I got out.

Can you tell us more about the incident with Virat Kohli during the game?

I was just adjusting my gloves when I think he accidentally bumped into me. It's just part of cricket; there's a lot of tension in the game. For me, it was all about playing with freedom and backing myself to perform.

How did you approach your battle with J. Bumrah today?

Bumrah is a legend of the game, and I was trying to put some pressure on him, which paid off today. But I also acknowledge that he took three wickets and changed the momentum of the game. I always try to challenge myself and bring the best out of myself in such contests.

Was there any specific plan for your batting, considering your defensive approach in the Shield games?

I just focus on playing the best version of each ball and taking it from there. The plan is always to back my instincts and be prepared for whatever the opposition throws at me, whether that's defending or attacking.

Some of your shots today were quite spectacular. Were they premeditated or more instinctive?

Yes, they were premeditated. With the pace of the bowlers, I was focused on keeping my head still and watching the ball closely. It’s about executing my game plan and finding the right moments to score.

Did you feel any pressure when playing aggressive shots like the ramp shot? Was there any fear of looking silly if you got out?

Not really. I felt that the ramp shot was a safe option for me, and I had worked hard on it. It was part of my routine, and I felt confident executing it. I guess being young and a bit naive helps with that fearlessness.

How did your first meeting with Mark Taylor go? What advice did he give you?

It was my first time meeting Mark, and he gave me some solid advice: back myself and seize the opportunity. He also reminded me that representing your country is a special moment, and I really appreciated that.

How much of the first three tests did you watch, and did you learn anything from them?

I watched quite a bit of the previous tests. It was interesting to observe the struggles of the top order. I tried to free myself up today and take a more positive approach to my batting.

Do you think the younger generation of cricketers is approaching the game differently, especially when it comes to shot selection and aggression?

Definitely. 20 or 30 years ago, there was a stronger emphasis on defending, but today’s generation is more inclined to take risks and play aggressive shots. It’s exciting, and I like to contribute to that shift by putting pressure back on the bowlers.

The Indian bowlers seemed to be targeting you. How did you respond to that, and did it motivate you?

For me, it was about being in the contest and trying to bring the best version of myself. Yes, I felt targeted, but I enjoy that challenge—it brings out the best in me. It’s all about putting pressure on the opposition and making sure I’m always in the game.