Late on the first day, a verbal argument has intensified one of the most captivating duel scenes in the series.
In a dramatic conclusion to the first day of the last Test at the SCG, Sam Konstas was at the center of a heated argument with India’s substitute skipper Jasprit Bumrah. This has set up another exciting match when play starts on Saturday.
With only fifteen minutes of the day left, Australia began their reply. On the first delivery, Konstas came down the crease at Bumrah and blasted him through mid wicket. Following Usman Khawaja’s withdrawal from the strike, which appeared to be an attempt to buy time so that there wouldn’t be another over, Konstas and Bumrah spoke before what turned out to be the day’s last ball.
Umpire Sharfuddoula intervened when Konstas moved to face Bumrah and seemed to say something. The subsequent delivery went through off-stump outside. After Khawaja edged to second slip with the day’s last delivery, Bumrah turned and looked directly at Konstas at the non-striker’s end. He then took a few strides in his direction before Virat Kohli and other team members joined in the joyous celebration.
Rishabh Pant remarked, “I feel they had a little chit-chat,” on the conversation. “They wanted to waste some time. I feel that’s the reason he had a conversation with Jassi [Bumrah]. He [Konstas] said something, I didn’t hear it, but I feel that’s the only thing which he wanted to do to just waste some time so we don’t bowl one more over.”
After being bowled out for 185 just minutes earlier, the India players were ecstatic as they left the field, and Konstas left a few steps after Khawaja with Australia at 9 for 1.
Beau Webster remarked, “It was an interesting one,” about the beginning of Australia’s innings. “I was watching TV in the rooms next to Heady [Travis Head] when he [Konstas] raced down and clipped him over midwicket on the first ball. It was almost like there was no surprise anymore, he was gone.
“Sammy’s a very confident young man, it’s what they do these days, those youngsters, they get after it and put themselves out there. He’s got all the skills and all the talent to back it up so hopefully he has a really good day tomorrow and puts a few runs on the board.”
The decision to include Konstas in the latter episodes of the series has had a significant effect. In his first innings at the MCG, he hit 60 off 65 balls, often scooping Bumrah. During his stay, he was shoulder-barged by Kohli in between overs. In the second innings, Bumrah retaliated by dismissing Konstas for eight.
As Australia fought for victory in the last innings, Konstas was a vociferous presence around the bat and actively engaged with the crowded MCG audience in the field.
Scott Boland said, “He’s playing with a lot of flair,” to Fox Cricket. “He’s definitely under their skin. You can see that in the last few moments there.”
Shane Watson, Konstas’ mentor, claimed he was taken aback by the 19-year-old’s extroverted behavior prior to the SCG Test.
“My experience of dealing and working with Sam has been a very quiet, reserved personality,” he stated. “[He’s] a very deep thinker and certainly not an extrovert. But obviously what we saw in the Test match is that he absolutely is a showman.”
With a series that the visitors must win to keep the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Bumrah’s late goal will give India faith that he has one more outstanding performance in him.
“Think there’s definitely a method to go about batting on this wicket, but Jasprit is a world-class bowler and no doubt he’s going to challenge our whole batting group,” Webster commented. “He’s phenomenal with his lengths and lines, it is going to be tough on a wicket that will offer a fair bit for him.”
Even though Pant acknowledged that they would have liked a few more runs, he was confident that India could still compete in the match.
“I think I wouldn’t say it’s a par score, I think anything over 220 to 250 would be a par score,” he said. “But still a very competitive score because the way ball is moving now I think there’s a lot of help for the bowler and hopefully we can capitalise on that.”
