Konstas shines on debut as Australia gains control

Teenager Sam Konstas hit a pulsating half century on his Australia debut on a thrilling opening day of the fourth Test against India in Melbourne yesterday.

The 19-year-old opener, Australia Men’s youngest Test batting debutant since 1953, smashed 60 from 65 balls, featuring six fours and two sixes.

Konstas was also involved in a heated confrontation with India’s Virat Kohli, clashing shoulders with the India batter at the end of an over, before departing to a standing ovation after being trapped lbw by Ravindra Jadeja.

Fellow opener Usman Khawaja rediscovered his form, hitting a first half century in 12 innings before departing for 57 after lunch.

Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith then put on 83 for the fourth wicket as Australia pressed home their advantage in the evening session.

But Labuschagne’s departure for 72 led to Australia losing three wickets for just nine runs, with the lively Bumrah removing Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh in quick succession.

Akash Deep then took the late wicket of Alex Carey for 31 with the new ball, before the hosts closed out the day at 311 for six.

A crowd of more than 87,000 packed into the MCG for the traditional Boxing Day Test, which took place under cloudy skies but sweltering temperatures pushing close to 39 degrees.

The five-match series is level at 1-1, with both sides needing to win the series 3-1 to guarantee a place in the World Test Championship final.

It has been quite the rise for Konstas, who has only played 11 first-class matches and made his debut for New South Wales in 2023, less than two months after his 18th birthday.

Pitched straight into the action after Skipper Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bat, Konstas was engaged in a fascinating early battle with Bumrah, with the India pace bowler beating the bat four times in his first over.

Konstas got off the mark at the start of Bumrah’s second, before attempting a reverse ramp shot with just the 11th ball he had faced in Test cricket, much to the delight of the Melbourne crowd.

The teenager continued to show no fear, ramping Bumrah for four, six, four in the same over and attempting to charge Mohammed Siraj, prompting some choice words and a fiery stare from the India quick.

He smashed Bumrah for 18 in the next over and geed up the crowd to keep up the noise, before reaching his fifty with two off Siraj.

Chief scores:
Australia: 311/6 (Sam Konstas 60, Usman Khawaja 57, Marnus Labuschagne 72, Steve Smith 68 n.o, Alex Carey 31, Jasprit Bumrah 3/75). 
Agencies