Phil Gould's worrying prediction as 'cocky' Sam Konstas cops truth bomb from Allan Border

Rugby league guru – and avowed cricket tragic – Phil Gould has added his powerful voice to the heavyweights suggesting brash Australia opener Sam Konstas tone down his act. Konstas' aggressive approach cost him his wicket on day three of the SCG Test. Chasing 162 for victory in the fifth Test, the 19-year-old fell for 22 off 17 balls when he skied a ball to Washington Sundar off the bowling of Prasidh Krishna while going for a rank slog.

Gould, who has overseen the careers of multiple footballers with a penchant for running off at the mouth, expressed concerns over Konstas' attack-at-all-costs approach to batting and the baiting of rivals. "I fear for this young man," Gus posted on social media prior to Konstas' fiery exchange with the Indians following Usman Khawaja's dismissal on the final ball of day one of the Sydney Test.

Konstas had engaged in a verbal spar with Jasprit Bumrah before the delivery and the visitors were right in his face after the Indian spearhead removed Khawaja. It followed a number of clashes with the tourists during the Boxing Day Test, including the mid-pitch shoulder charge which saw Indian great Virat Kohli sanctioned by the ICC. Gould returned to Twitter to clarify his earlier concerns over Konstas but did not retreat.

"I offered this observation well before the final over altercation…I was referring more to his batting attitude and technique," Gus continued. "I don’t claim to be a cricket expert – (and) I hope I’m wrong and he ends up a cricketing great - but I highly doubt he can succeed as a Test batsman with that style of batting.

"Like I said, I sincerely hope I’m wrong. As for the final over theatrics, well, in all walks of life, you need to earn your stripes. I repeat, I fear for this lad, if he is allowed to continue down this path … just my opinion."

Ricky Ponting and Allan Border hit Sam Konstas with truth bomb

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting made his feelings clear over the day one altercation. "The one thing I didn't like...I didn’t like Konstas getting involved," Ponting said on Channel 7. "That was not his battle to fight. So, for the young man there, I hope that there was some talking to from the Australian dressing room last night because he should have stayed out of it."

Mark Waugh was another to condemn the 19-year-old's actions. "There was no need for Sam to get involved," he told Fox Cricket. "I think he should have bit his tongue and it’s got nothing to do with him. I think Sam will reflect on that and think he should have minded his own business. He's just got to let the bat do the talking."

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While former Test captain Allan Border said he'd be having a word to the teenager if he was skippering him. “There’s a subtle difference between confidence and cockiness and I think he’s just tipped over to the cocky side,” Border said.

“I would be having a word, yeah. Just to calm it down a bit. I don’t mind confidence but I think that cocky chirp and chat that goes on … he’s obviously ruffled some feathers in the Indian camp. From his own personal point of view I’d like to see him concentrate on what he does best and that’s batting and getting big scores.”