At just 19, Konstas\u2019 cricketing journey has already taken him from the cauldron of a Boxing Day Test to the laid-back Caribbean breeze, where he\u2019s set to open the innings alongside Usman Khawaja in the first Test against the West Indies at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, starting Wednesday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a dream come true, to be honest,\u201d Konstas said in Bridgetown. \u201c(To be) 19 years old, playing for your country, travelling the world, getting to experience different cultures and (play against) the best players as well\u2026 I\u2019m lucky to be where I am,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Sydney youngster\u2019s inclusion, confirmed by chairman of selectors George Bailey, sees him and Josh Inglis come in for Marnus Labuschagne (dropped) and Steve Smith (injured). The Test marks not only Konstas\u2019 return to the XI but his first outing in Australian whites outside the country.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been training really hard and I understand the reasons why they picked (others instead for recent matches),\u201d Konstas said, reflecting on being left out of the Sri Lanka tour and the World Test Championship final.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI\u2019m just trying to be in the present moment, trying to focus on a few key areas with my batting coach, and (I) feel like I\u2019ve come a long way. Hopefully, I can display that in the next few Test matches.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
And yet, the memory of his fearless debut lingers - especially that daring 60 off 65 balls against India at the MCG, peppered with ramp shots and reverse scoops, even off Jasprit Bumrah.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI still can\u2019t believe it,\u201d he laughed. \u201cI don\u2019t know what was going through my mind at that time. I thought it was the right time at the moment, and it was good fun.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He admits he\u2019s watched the innings \u201cquite a bit,\u201d thanks to reminders from friends. \u201cSome of my mates still send it to me,\u201d he grinned.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The boldness continued in Sydney, where his fiery exchange with Bumrah and a cheeky send-off to Virat Kohli on Day 2 earned headlines and divided opinion.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe emotions probably got to me with the crowd,\u201d Konstas admitted. \u201cIt was good reflecting and having a bit of time off, trying to strengthen my game up.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite the bravado, those who know him best insist Konstas is far more classical in his approach than his T20-style antics might suggest. That duality - flair and foundation - is something he now hopes to balance better.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Asked if fans might see a more measured version in the Caribbean, he said, \u201cI feel like I trust people that I work with and they understand my game. I\u2019m not trying to prove to anyone how I\u2019m going to play. I just want to be myself and obviously understand when to take on the game and soak up the pressure and win games for Australia.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite the bravado, those who know him best insist Konstas is far more classical in his approach than his T20-style antics might suggest. That duality - flair and foundation - is something he now hopes to balance better.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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