19-year-old Australian batter Sam Konstas, who has been making waves with his outstanding performances, made his Test debut in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Melbourne. Konstas has demonstrated his natural batting talent, establishing himself as a promising player and earning recognition in both domestic and youth cricket.
The right-handed batter impressed everyone with his intent and ability in the 2024 U19 World Cup, scoring 191 runs. Sam batted well throughout the tournament but failed to make his mark in the knockout stages, falling short of expectations despite his consistent performances earlier.
Here’s 5 interesting facts about Australia’s young opener, Sam Konstas
1. Youngest-ever person in Test to score a fifty against India on debut
The 19 year and 85 days old opener Sam Konstas, became the youngest player in Test cricket history to score a fifty on his debut against India. He played a wonderful knock of 60 runs off 65 balls, with 6 fours and 2 sixes. The young cricketer demonstrated his skill and composure in facing some of the world’s top bowlers, proving his ability to compete at the highest level.
2. Ended Bumrah’s 4483-ball streak
During the third Test match between India and Australia at Melbourne, debutant opener Sam Konstas ended Jasprit Bumrah’s six conceding streak in Test cricket. In the seventh over of the Test, Konstas struck Bumrah for 14 runs, including two fours and a bold ramp shot for six.
This six marked the first Bumrah had conceded in Test cricket since early 2021, ending a remarkable streak of 4,483 balls without giving one away.
3. First-Class Century
At just 19, Konstas etched his name in history as the youngest player since Ricky Ponting in 1993 to score two centuries in a Sheffield Shield match. He accomplished this feat with scores of 152 and 105 against South Australia, demonstrating remarkable talent and composure under pressure. His ability to perform in tough situations at such a young age has garnered attention from coaches and selectors, signaling his bright future in Australian cricket.
4. Early Start in Grade Cricket
At only 17 years old, Konstas made a significant mark in Sydney’s premier grade cricket by becoming the youngest batter to score a century for Sutherland. This impressive achievement not only highlighted his raw talent but also underscored his maturity and confidence at such an early stage of his career.
His ability to perform at a high level in a competitive cricket environment set him apart from his peers, attracting attention from cricket experts and selectors. This milestone was an early indicator of his promising future in the sport, where he was already displaying qualities of a potential star.
5. Fastest fifty for Sydney Thunder in BBL history
Sam Konstas made his Big Bash League debut for Sydney Thunder on December 26, 2024, against Adelaide Strikers. In this match, he scored 56 runs off 20 balls, setting a record for the fastest fifty for Sydney Thunder in BBL history.
