'Sam Konstas' aka 'Davey Warner'

Dave' The Bull' Warner—(the Dave bit sounds so off)—is in rapid reincarnation mode. The headphones were barely getting comfortable before his enduring legacy surfaced again. It seems ironic that Warner's need to leave a legacy would reappear so quickly after his delayed departure.

I hear you; Warner wished to be remembered equally for his cricket and diplomacy. OK, his cricket—yes, you're probably right—not his cricket, his batting, and specifically his redefining of the opening position in Test cricket. Surely we can grant him this? He was out of his seat watching Sam Konstas dance and flick the game's first ball through mid-wicket. Unfortunately, early in his media career, he finds himself on the second or third line of commentary trios, which precludes him from calling his prodigy's first ball New Year's message. Is Australia shifting to their strain of new-age Test cricket through Sam Konstas?

I'm sure Sam 'The Krank' Konstas didn't envisage such a confrontational start to his Test career. First, it was 'shoulder gate' in Melbourne. Virat Kohli—the wilting warrior—thought it his duty to get close and personal with the 'new kid on the block'—how dare the Bruno Mars look-a-like decide to scoop, ramp, deflect, run down and swing at his old mate, Jasprit Bumrah! (Maybe they are not as chummy as we might think). The doing was bad enough, but seeing Konstas succeeding was all the more galling for the forgettable Kohli—and Kohli's knee-jerk preservation reaction?—a classic kid with his hand in the cookie jar moment.

"Me, no way, sir, it was him, honest your honour, you know who I am, right," as the crownless king pointed vigorously toward Konstas, imitating that the young tyro had changed course to initiate the contact. Kohli should be lucky that Konstas didn't employ a technique similar to the late Andrew Symonds! That burly streaker still looks for his shoulder and collarbone after a classic Aussie 'shirtfront'.

---

SpeakingNick is supported by your subscriptions. I thank you sincerely and if you are still a free subscriber, please, if you can, consider subscribing. Thank you.

---

This Test season 2024-25, Virat Kohli has 126 runs from 10 innings at an average of 12.60. He sits at the top of the table for the lowest average in the first innings of a Test season, edging out David Boon, who faired marginally better in 1994/95 with 152 runs from 12 innings.

Then to Sydney, 'Sam The Krank's' home turf. No one comes knocking here and gets away scot-free. And yes, this is the same place Davey Warney peddled his early trade. Comrades-in-arms.

After pocketing two tidy catches in India's anticipated first-innings collapse, Sam Konstas was again the centre of attention when Australia negotiated a tricky three overs before stumps on day one.

Before we get to the last-drinks squabble—it was an exceptional day of Test match cricket—first a shallow dive into India's batting woes and the par excellence of the Australian seam attack.

Off the bat, India's captain rested—an interesting spin—in the best interest of 'his' team. You have to ask: why did Rohit Sharma travel at all? Second, India's decision to bat—not Bumrah's—was incomprehensible, given the look and texture of the surface. Pat Cummins wanted only one outcome from the toss—a correct call from Bumrah.

Then came the validation in numbers: These are related to 2024/25:

India averages less than 20 runs per first innings wicket (18.74), the lowest of any World Test Championship (WTC) team. They have just two individual hundreds in the first innings during this time, both from the number eight position: Ravi Ashwin and Nitish Kumar Reddy. (Come back, Ash). 376 against Bangladesh is India's highest first-innings total in 2024/25 and the lowest of all the WTC teams. They also have the lowest score of 2024/25—46.

Scott Boland again was Australia's standout bowler on day one, claiming impressive figures of 4-31 as the hosts dismissed India for 185. The unassuming Victorian quick reached a significant career milestone, capturing his 50th Test wicket, and twice came agonisingly close to securing a hat-trick. As is his wont, an early breakthrough came with the dismissal of Yashasvi Jaiswal, nicely caught in the gully by debutant Beau Webster.

Boland's performance once again demonstrated his remarkable ability to strike early in his spells, a trait that has defined his Test career. During a particularly effective spell, he dismissed Rishabh Pant and Nitish Kumar Reddy in consecutive deliveries. He came within millimetres of completing his hat-trick when Alex Carey seemed to fumble a difficult chance from Washington Sundar.

And those last three overs!

Tensions boiled over when Usman Khawaja halted Bumrah mid-run-up for the day's penultimate ball, prompting a predictable reaction from the bowler and his team. Enter Sam 'The Krank' Konstas, who interjected with the equally predictable phrase, "He's not ready, mate."

Now, it might have the 'mate' addendum that upset Bumrah. Australians use 'mate' as liberally as flies swarm a summer barbecue. "He's not ready" would have been a fair shout. Also, the fact that Konstas left his crease, walking toward Bumrah while delivering his explanation of the time-served practice of wasting time to ensure this will be the last over the day.

The verdict came down on the Indian side, with Khawaja edging to slip after being beaten on length. Anyone close to Sam Konstas reminded him to mind his own business in these situations. I agree—a lesson well learnt.

---

End of day two summary: India leads by 145 runs with four-second innings wickets remaining. India, 185 (72.2) and 6/141 (32.0). Australia 181 (51.0). Debutant Beau Webster posted the game's first half-century with 57 from 105 balls.