While not everyone may spend their Boxing Day watching cricket, almost every Australian has heard about this year’s newest sporting star – Sam Konstas.
Making his remarkable debut in the 2024 Boxing Day Test against India, Sam’s bold approach against world-class bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and his ability to handle pressure in front of a massive MCG crowd of 90,000 spectators have marked him as a player to watch.
Scoring debut innings of 60 runs off 65 balls, the young opener’s fearless batting style and impressive performance have captivated fans and experts alike, leaving many eager to learn more about this rising star.
Who is Sam Konstas?
Sam Konstas is a 19-year-old Australian cricketer.
Born on October 2, 2005, in Kogarah, New South Wales, Sam first made waves in the cricket world as a member of the Australian U-19 cricket team in 2023.
Sam made his first-class debut for New South Wales in November 2023, just weeks after turning 18. He quickly made a name for himself in domestic cricket, scoring his maiden first-class century against South Australia in October 2024.
Impressively, he followed this with another century in the second innings of the same match, becoming the youngest player since Ricky Ponting in 1993 to achieve this feat in the Sheffield Shield.
Most notably, Sam made a stand-out Test debut against India on December 26, 2024. He scored 60 runs off 65 balls.
His aggressive batting style, particularly against India’s premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, quickly caught the attention of many legends in the cricket world, with his ability to play unorthodox shots drawing comparisons to fellow Australian cricket star David Warner.
The 19-year-old’s half-century was also the third-fastest for an Australian Test debutant, following Adam Gilchrist and Ashton Agar.
