Next big thing declares he’s ready for Test debut

Young gun Sam Konstas says he’s ready for the next challenge of his career and “hopes” a Test debut comes “soon” after a breakout summer.

Konstas, who has scored twin tons for NSW and then a classy century against India on Sunday, is only 19 but has been touted as Australia’s next long-term opening batsman thanks to a hot start to the Sheffield Shield season.

But despite all the hype, he missed out on the initial Test squad for the India series, with calls for his selection set to intensify if he continues to score runs and the Australian top order keeps failing with the bat.

Konstas hasn’t spoken with Australian coach Andrew McDonald but says he’s ready and eager to open the batting for his country just days after he blasted 107 off 97 balls for the Prime Minister’s XI against India in Canberra.

“I really want the chance, I love being challenged and hopefully that can happen soon,” Konstas said at the SCG on Wednesday morning.

“I feel like I’m in a good headspace. It’s been the best few months I’ve had, and hopefully one day I can represent my country.

“For me, it’s focusing about Friday (Shield game against Western Australia) and then trying to score runs to put myself forward. It would be a huge honour to represent my country one day.”

That knock in Canberra came against a quality Indian attack that was missing spearhead Jasprit Bumrah but was still able to trouble the hosts, with only one other batter in the top eight scoring more than five.

“It was a huge honour representing the PM’s XI. Playing the best from India was a good challenge and it was good to get a few runs to help the team,” Konstas said after playing some audacious strokes against the pink ball.

“Backing my game and trusting it (helped me score the runs). I was there for a reason and was trying to be present in the moment.

“It was a good challenge against India because they’re very feisty and get in the contest. Just challenging my skill set and trying to be the best version of myself (helped).”

Konstas only has one more red-ball match before the Shield goes on break for the BBL, but that will give him the chance to work closely with David Warner, who will captain him at the Thunder and teach him all about opening for Australia.

Warner and Steve Smith have reached out, while he’s also leant heavily on NSW teammates Moises Henriques and Jack Edwards.

But his most valued mentor has been former international star Shane Watson, whom he met while he was a student at Cranbrook High School in Sydney, with Watson’s wife now his manager.

Watson has helped him work on his technique and how to deal with missing out with the bat as he did in three of his four knocks for Australia A, with Konstas praised for how he handled the disappointment of missing out on the Test squad.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t get the runs that I would have liked, but (I’ve been) reflecting on how I could have done better and challenging how they got me out and the tactics they used, so it was good to get a little reward on Sunday,” he said.

“I analyse a little bit but not too much so I can then go back through my process and chat to Watto about what’s next.

“When I was younger I was probably over-analysing stuff with my technique, so just trying to trust the process and bring the best version every ball.

“For me, it’s about being in the present and being the best version of myself, and then hopefully let the result take care of itself.

“That’s been a change in mindset. Shane Watson has helped me with that, and then I’ve tried to put in good performances for the team.”