‘Backyard kid…’: Pat Cummins gives hilarious advice to 19-year-old debutant Sam Constas

Ahead of the fourth Test against India, Australian captain Pat Cummins has a special message for 19-year-old debutant Sam Kontas, telling the batsman to enjoy his time in the Boxing Day Test and not to think too much about it. he urged. Under-19 ICC World Cup-winning star Constas has built huge hype for himself with a string of strong performances at domestic level for New South Wales (NSW), but he has been led by India’s attackers. , there will be a chance to justify it. World-class Jasprit Bumrah is motivated to do better and take a 2-1 series lead after taking the third Test in Brisbane from near-winless conditions to a draw. There is no doubt about it. As quoted by cricket.com.au, Cummins recalled in the pre-match press conference that he made his international debut against South Africa in November 2011 and took seven wickets, including six in both innings. did. Cummins said she was just as excited as Constas before her debut. He also said there was a “certain level of naivety” when players started the game as they tried to approach it as if it were “backyard” cricket.

“It was so amazing. I spent a little bit of time thinking about how and why I was there and how it happened so quickly. I just remember being really excited.” Cummins said.

“I think it’s similar to Sammy (Constas) this week. There’s a simplicity of wanting to go out and play in the backyard like you did when you were a kid. You just want to work on your game. Don’t overthink it, just enjoy it.” ”

“This is my message to Sam. That’s definitely how I felt as an 18-year-old. I was really excited. When the game starts, you go into game mode and it’s like any other game,” he concluded. I did. What is his point?

The Australian captain also hilariously recalled how, as an 18-year-old, he felt he had more leeway in case of a bad match, blaming the selectors for selecting him at such a young age.

“When I was 18, I remember thinking, almost publicly, ‘I’m younger and I have more leeway.’ Then I felt like if I didn’t have a great game, maybe it wasn’t my talent. “It’s the selectors’ fault for choosing me,” he said.

“I thought, ‘Well, they’re idiots for choosing 18!'” There’s no better day than this because you’re still young and just starting your career. So enjoy this moment. ” he concluded.

Constas played a key role in Australia’s victory in the 2024 ICC U19 World Cup, scoring 191 runs in seven innings, including a century, at an average of 27.28 runs. He also played in the back-to-back matches between Australia A and India A ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, scoring 92 runs in four innings with a match-winning 73*. In the warm-up pink ball game against India, he proved his authority by bowling a brilliant 107 out of 97 balls against India’s formidable attack.

In the ongoing Sheffield Shield season, Constas is the fifth highest run-getter with 471 runs in five matches at an average of 58.87 (including two centuries and a fifty) and a best score of 152.

Australia XI for the 4th Test: Usman Khawaja, Sam Constas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.