Pat Cummins has urged Sam Konstas to keep looking at the bigger picture as the young opener takes time to find his feet after returning to the Australia side in the West Indies.
Konstas could not hide his disappointment after chopping a wide delivery from Jayden Seales onto his stumps for a fourth-ball duck in Australia’s second innings, before the team extended their 30-year stranglehold on the Frank Worrell Trophy with a 133-run victory over West Indies in the second Test.
The 19-year-old had given himself a platform with a measured 25 before driving away from his body and nicking to the keeper on the first day in Grenada.
But with only 33 runs from four innings in the West Indies and a Test average that has dropped to 18.25 after clubbing 60 on debut against India, pressure is mounting on Konstas to post a big score and stake his claim to open when the Ashes begins in November.
“For anyone who is starting out their Test career, you’re kind of picked for a reason, and you at your best, we know is good enough,” Cummins said. “It’s just about concentrating on what makes you a really good player.
“Someone like a batter, it might be where you score, your areas, what tempo do you normally operate at your best. And just don’t get too caught up in every innings feeling like the biggest thing in the world. I think the stat is even the best batters in the world don’t hit their average three out of four times, you’re going to fail more often than you’re going to succeed.
“So just as long as you’re a quick learner, as long as you’re moving well and giving yourself the best chance, just keep kind of doubling down on that and judge yourself after a series or so, not innings by innings.”
While there are lingering concerns around Australia’s top order with veteran opener Usman Khawaja also out of sorts, the middle order has remained reliable in the Caribbean.
Alex Carey has continued on with his rich vein of form while Beau Webster has quickly settled into the all-rounder role and is making valuable runs batting at No 6.
Australia’s keeper was named player of the match for critical knocks of 63 and 30 in the second Test, and has now averaged 41.71 since the start of last summer.
“Any opposition that has a No 7, it’s normally a keeper, but who walks in and you know they are in good form, can move the game quickly, they are some of the scariest players,” Cummins said. “We feel really lucky to have ‘Kes’ in our side that does that.
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“Last week, I thought he was close to the man of the match as well. It’s a really tricky period to bat at five, six and seven, the game’s normally in the balance, but time and time again, him along with a couple of the others seem to take the game away from the opposition.”
Despite another quick turnaround, Cummins expects the bowling attack to back up again for the third Test starting on Saturday local time (Sunday 4.30am AEST), after Australia needed fewer than 110 overs to dismiss West Indies twice at St George’s.
Left-armer Mitchell Starc is in line to play his 100th Test after being the pick of the bowlers with three for 24 as Australia closed in on victory in the second win over West India.
Starc will become just the second Australia pacer behind Glenn McGrath to reach the milestone and is within reach of another landmark with 395 wickets at 27.39.
“It’s a huge effort, as a fast bowler as well, he’s bowling 145 [km / hour] at the end of that game,” Cummins said. “I can’t fathom playing 100 games and keeping that kind of speed. He’s just a warrior, just turns up every week and wants to play, no matter what, just cracks on.”
