New South Wales coach Greg Shipperd has declared that teenage prodigy Sam Konstas is “highly likely” to feature in Australia’s squad for June’s World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s while stressing the batting wunderkind remains a work in progress.
The 19-year-old, who played two Tests during this summer’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, missed selection for last month’s Warne-Muralitharan Trophy campaign in Sri Lanka, with national selectors elevating Travis Head to opener in his absence.
Since his unforgettable maiden Test knock at the MCG on Boxing Day, Konstas has accumulated 161 first-class runs at 17.89 including a gritty half-century during last week’s Sheffield Shield contest against Western Australia at the WACA.
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Speaking to reporters on Thursday morning, Shipperd backed the right-hander to earn a recall for the World Test Championship final in London, with Head expected to return to his preferred position in the middle order.
“We’re always in regular contact with the Australian coaching staff and the selectors, so we’ll be working together on Sam and the preparation for his future,” Shipperd said.
“I would have thought it’s highly likely for him to be engaged in the squad for that World Test Championship final, so we’re hoping that he finishes off the season here well and that he redirects his attention to that challenge as it unfolds.
“I’d be very surprised if the Australian selectors weren’t considering him strongly for that opening position in that game.”
Konstas, who made his first-class debut last summer, helped the Blues eke out a draw against reigning champions Western Australia by notching a watchful fifty in the fourth innings, stumped for 50 (107) after charging at spinner Corey Rocchiccioli.
“Sammy really got his head down and played according to the conditions and the situation,” Shipperd continued.
“That was a really pleasing step up and step forward for him.
“He’s still working his game out. He’s still moving around the country and playing at grounds that he’s never played at before. He’s in the learning mode as well as performing quite well for us.
“We’re really pleased with his development, but also understand that he’s had an extremely unique start to his career … he’s coping with that and learning every match.”
Konstas has come under scrutiny for his ultra-aggressive approach to batting in first-class cricket, most notably during last month’s Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at the MCG when he was bowled around his legs by Australian teammate Scott Boland after attempting a slog-sweep in the third over.
“I’m not sure he planned that, I think it just unfolded in that particular moment,” Shipperd recalled.
“With discussions and reconsideration of what a batting plan looks like, he’s made some adjustments, so that means to me he’s listening and he’s learning, and that’s very important for him at this stage of his career.
“He’s still working the game out, he’s highly talented, and he’s had some wonderful success across the course of this season. That’s how we would expect all our young players to unfold.”
Shipperd acknowledged that Konstas’ counterpunching method has paid dividends on several occasions throughout the summer, including during December’s Prime Minister’s XI match in Canberra, where he rattled India’s bowling attack, and the following week’s Sheffield Shield contest against Western Australia at the SCG, where he unsettled speedster Lance Morris. However, the Blues coach has encouraged the teenager to pursue “a more consistent approach” with the willow.
“Quite clearly we can see that there are times when that method has been successful for him,” Shipperd said.
“There’s a time for playing out of the box, but as a general theme we’re encouraging, as most of the most experienced pundits around are calling for, a more consistent approach, finding the right time in the innings, and whilst doing that considering what the team needs at that particular moment.
“We’re encouraged that he’s learning each game and he’s considering all of these issues as each innings unfolds for him.”
New South Wales will face Tasmania in a pink-ball contest at Hobart’s Bellerive Oval this week for what looms as a must-win contest. Currently third on the Sheffield Shield standings, the Blues are unlikely to qualify for the final if they don’t defeat the Tigers, and even then they’ll be relying on other results and bonus points.
Leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha, seamer Sean Abbott and quick Ben Dwarshuis are expected to be available for selection having returned from Australia’s Champions Trophy campaign in the subcontinent, while opener Daniel Hughes, all-rounder Moises Henriques and bowler Daniel Hughes remain unavailable due to injury. Elsewhere, Shipperd vowed to reach out to superstar Steve Smith if New South Wales qualified for the season decider, which will be hosted by South Australia.
“After a long, hot summer, Steve is quite rightly having some recovery time,” Shipperd said.
“But should we make the final then maybe a few phone calls in his direction might be undertaken.”
Blues fast bowler Jackson Bird is currently the second-leading wicket-taker of this season’s Sheffield Shield with 33 scalps at 14.90. Shipperd hopes the 38-year-old, who represented Tasmania for 12 seasons, will wreak havoc with the pink Kookaburra when he returns to his old hunting ground this weekend.
“He’s one of the greats of the Sheffield Shield competition,” Shipperd said.
“He’s class, and has been class for many, many years … looking forward to him really stepping up on his old home ground.”
The Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Tasmania gets underway on Saturday at 2.30pm AEDT.