Cricket-Konstas Increases Fun As Bullying Drops In India – ThePrint –

Ian Ransom
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Cricket coaching manuals probably don’t recommend using Jasprit Bumrah 11 in your Test career, but 19-year-old Australian debutant Sam Konstas worked from his own playbook in Thursday’s Boxing Day Test.

His first shot missed the ball, as did his second a few overs later, prompting laughter from India’s players in front of a huge crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the first day of the fourth Test.

Undeterred, Konstas’ persistence paid off as he pushed across the crease at the third attempt and bowled Bumrah over the wicket for four.

He then produced a reverse scoop that cleared the rope for a six on the next ball, wiping the smile off the visitors’ faces.

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Another three-ball reverse later ended with four balls in the same over, sending the fans into a frenzy.

Not many batsmen can make India’s leader look silly and hold on to his wickets for long, but Constance went on to knock Bumrah out in a 65-ball 60.

He eventually lost to all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja before lunch.

Watching in the crowd, Constance’s twin brother Johnny told the Seven Network presenter that during Christmas dinner on Wednesday during Christmas dinner on Wednesday during Christmas dinner during Christmas dinner on Wednesday during Christmas dinner during Christmas dinner during Christmas dinner on Wednesday during Christmas dinner during of Christmas dinner at Christmas dinner on Wednesday talked about making a quick strike against India.

The player confirmed that it was a pre-planned tactic to put pressure on Bumrah, the most dominant bowler in the series so far, and that he had practiced the shot with his personal batting coach Tahmeed Islam.

“Definitely deliberate, especially at that rate,” he told reporters after Australia collapsed to 311 for six.

“But just trying to keep my head still and just looking at my bat. But, yes, today I lost a little bit and changed the pitch, which was good.”

India was angered by Konstas’ youthful activism.

Virat Kohli, the team’s 36-year-old megastar, collided shoulders in mid-innings with the teenager at the end of the 10th over.

The two turned to exchange words, prompting umpire Michael Gough and opener Usman Khawaja to step in to defuse the situation.

Constas responded by hitting Bumrah for a four over mid-off on the next ball he faced, before hitting the pacer over his head for a six to complete 18 runs from the top.

Pacer Mohammed Siraj, who was booed in the second Test in Adelaide for running out Travis Head after taking his wicket, also tried to intimidate Konstas but received little reward.

After Konstas lunged at goal and missed the ball, Siraj stared at the teenager and said a few choice words.

The next ball, Konstas hit it for three and continued the aggression.

“Obviously he got hot at times and that was good for me,” Konstas said.

“(I) just feel like it brings out the best in me. I hope things will go well in the next innings.”

(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Disclaimer: This report was automatically generated by Reuters News Service. ThePrint is not responsible for its content.