- Kerry O’Keeffe says Sam Konstas’ weakness has been exposed
- Says the youngster needs to fix the problem very soon or else
Aussie cricket legend Kerry O’Keeffe has warned Sam Konstas that India have found a glaring flaw with his game and if it’s not fixed soon, it could destroy his entire career.
The teen sensation punished India during his first innings of the Boxing Day Test, plundering a half-century from just 52 balls following some amazing ramp shots and bold striking as he thrashed the world-class bowling attack.
However, coming into the match it’s been clear that the youngster struggles with in-swinging deliveries after being dismissed by them many times during his budding career.
During the second innings, Jasprit Bumrah exploited this by nipping one back into Konstas and taking his wicket.
However, according to O’Keeffe the problem is more to do with Konstas’ technique in defence – and it needs to be fixed quickly.
‘The Indian tacticians have identified a problem with the forward defence of Sam Konstas,’ O’Keeffe told Fox Cricket.
Kerry O’Keeffe has warned Sam Konstas that India have found a big flaw with his game
O’Keefe says a gap is created in Konstas’ defence because his technique isn’t sound
‘They’ve suddenly now picked up a flaw in his first Test that will go around the world.
‘Sam’s front shoulder, he loses it completely and just plays with his hands,’ O’Keeffe continued.
‘He’s pushing his hands at the ball away from his body. The gap is created, and Bumrah went through it.
‘He doesn’t need too many invitations.’
Bumrah’s tussle with the 19-year-old opener sets the scene for an absorbing second round when Konstas plays a Test at his SCG home ground for the first time starting on Friday in a clash that could decide the Border-Gavaskar series.
Marnus Labuschagne says he’s rapt with Konstas’s attitude.
After scoring 72 and 70 in the Boxing Day Test, Labuschagne said Konstas’s unorthodox approach had influenced him when he was at the crease.
Jasprit Bumrah (right) is pictured after taking Konstas’s wicket at the MCG
Konstas plays a Test at his home ground of the SCG for the first time next week – and the outcome will decide the winner of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
‘Sam is a very confident young player and he really shows that. I love that about him,’ Labuschagne said.
‘So he’ll love getting in the contest and he’ll love that Bumrah has revved it up. I’m sure he’ll be ready to go for the next innings.
‘That first innings, watching Sam bat and the way he went about it, I was sitting there with Steve (Smith) and saying, ‘We really have to look at how we’re going about it, because this looks way more fun’.
‘It probably just made me think about actually what’s my best method, rather than thinking about (technique) – it was just more tactical, ‘OK, how am I going to find a way through this? How am I going to score runs’?’
If Australia can lift the trophy in Sydney, it would be the first time since the 1997 Ashes they have recovered from a 0-1 deficit to win a Test series.
It would mark a dramatic turnaround after they were embarrassed by India in Perth to kick off this blockbuster five-Test battle.
