Shane Watson smacks down India tactic in startling revelation about Sam Konstas 'blueprint'
Watson has acted as a batting mentor to Konstas over the last few years.
Shane Watson says Sam Konstas is much more than ramp shots and flashy play, backing the teenager to perform while playing a more conventional game at the SCG. Watson has served as a key batting mentor to Konstas over the last few years, and reckons he has enough gears to conquer India - even without his signature scoops.
Konstas became an instant sensation when he ramped and reverse-ramped Jasprit Bumrah on Boxing Day, making a brilliant 60 on Test debut. He also charged down the pitch and played a number of expansive pulls and drives, showing he wasn't afraid of the world's best bowler.
And speaking on Thursday at the SCG, Watson provided an insight into why Konstas batted the way he did. "I understood what his game plan was, or what plan A was anyway," Watson said. "So when plan B kicked in quite quickly, within a couple of overs, that was a little surprising.
"But the one thing that we've always talked about is trusting his gut. And obviously after those first couple of overs of Bumrah, he felt 'if I just bat normally it's a matter of time before he gets me out'. So he obviously just went with what he felt and fully committed to it. And that takes a lot of courage."
India responded in the second innings in Melbourne by putting two men deep behind the wicket, which meant Konstas couldn't play the ramp. But Watson said the 19-year-old would have no issue putting the shot away, having played a more traditional red-ball game throughout his rise in Sheffield Shield this year.
"He's going to have to tap into different aspects of his game, but he is technically very correct," the former Test opener said. "He can certainly just stand there and bat normally and wait for loose balls, but he's also got the other gears to be able to hit the ball down the ground. His blueprint will be a balance of all his shot options that he's got. It will certainly be putting the pressure on the bowler."
Shane Watson lifts the lid on Sam Konstas the person
Konstas had made the decision to stay in the team hotel this week, despite most players choosing to sleep at home during Test matches in their home city. His youthfulness was on display at Wednesday's Prime Minister's function, where he wore black and green sneakers with his team gear, while most of his teammates were wearing dress shoes.
"My experience of dealing and working with Sam has been a very quiet, reserved personality. (He's a) very deep thinker and certainly not an extrovert," Watson said. "But obviously what we saw in the Test match (at the MCG) is that he absolutely is a showman and wasn't overawed."
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Former Test captain Michael Clarke even went as far as to say Konstas' batting against Bumrah showed a "lack of respect", and that's why Virat Kohli charged into him in a physical altercation. Kohli was later fined and handed a demerit point on his official record.
“Virat Kohli is a tough cricketer. He will never take a backward step," Clarke said on his 'Beyond 23' cricket podcast this week. "I think Virat was frustrated with the lack of respect that Sam was showing towards the best bowler in the world, Jasprit Bumrah. [But} I am sure he would have had a word with Sam after the match. He is not a nasty person."
