Australian News – Shane Watson: ‘Perfect storm’ for Sam Konstas to make Test debut

Konstas announced he will be the Test bolter with twin Sheffield Shield centuries in NSW earlier this month and will line up for Australia A next week alongside the out-of-form Cameron Bancroft and fellow former Test opener Marcus Harris as selectors reduce their options.

Watson said the selectors should only look at the player who will replace Konstas to find rare skills and should be given opportunities early in Test cricket. Injured allrounder Cameron Green made his Test debut at the age of 21 on India’s last tour of Australia, featuring as the man of the match for Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield.

Watson felt that the age of the current playing squad was further evidence of the need to inject a little blood; no player under 30 who played both in Australia’s last Test match in March and is ready for the summer.

“The whole situation, in my mind, is a perfect storm to be able to give him an opportunity to be able to play Test cricket,” Watson told AAP. “For me, this is a good time, knowing that the bowlers are getting old, there are Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja who are the starters who are getting old.

“Obviously they still have a lot of great cricket ahead of them. But one thing that Australian cricket has always done very well is to see someone different from all the young stars come and get them into the Australian setup, as quickly as possible within reason, so they can help them learn.”

Current captain Pat Cummins memorably became the second-youngest Australian to debut in Test history when, aged 18, he received his first green bag on the 2011 tour of South Africa, while Konstas’ batting predecessors Ricky Ponting and -Steve Waugh both are given. it rings at 20.

Watson himself can vouch for the benefits of gaining international experience early, having started playing ODI cricket as a 20-year-old.

“There is no doubt that my one-day cricket would not have progressed to the level it has without being in the Aussie team. [at a younger age],” said Watson, who continued to play in Australia in 2007 and 2015, winning the World Cup.

Watson has been working with Konstas for the better part of four years, having first met her as a student at Cranbrook – the Sydney school Watson’s son attends.

He named Konstas’ single-minded dedication to his work as his most remarkable attribute.

“From the first time I met Sam, the thing that surprised me the most was his desire to be a great player,” said Watson. “The first time I had a session with him I was 16 years old, he hits the ball differently; his shooting techniques and defense.

“But knowing how diligently he’s been working on his mental game, it’s not surprising to see what he’s capable of.”

The psychological side of cricket became of great interest to Watson towards the end of his career and into retirement, and his book. The Conqueror’s Mind recently converted to an online skills course through SafetyCulture.