Pat Cummins makes call on Sam Konstas after Aussie batting woes continue
Although it was down to the bowlers to once again save the day for Australia with a number of the batters falling cheaply in Grenada. In a similar pattern to the first Test match, the bowlers were called upon to dismiss the West Indies in the final innings albeit with a few more runs to defend this time around.
Defending a total of 277 runs, Starc took control of the series taking 3-28 in eight overs. Nathan Lyon chipped in with 3-42 to take down the tail after Pat Cummins shined in the first innings.
And while a number of batters chipped in with half-centuries in Grenada, including Steve Smith and Cameron Green, it was Konstas' struggles that grabbed the attention. Konstas was brought back into the starting XI for the first time since the SCG clash against India after Marnus Labuschagne was dropped.
Konstas was told he would have an extended run in the side to prove himself, but has immediately struggled at the top of the order. Konstas has scored 33 runs across four innings with 25 his highest total. The 19-year-old has looked short of confidence having put his aggressive approach to batting behind him as he looks to build into innings.
One of the concerning moments of the match was Konstas looking shattered after his duck in the second innings. The 19-year-old trudged off the field after his four-ball duck and looked disappointed with his dismissal. Coach Andrew McDonald quickly left the balcony in what appeared to be a move to go and support the youngster.
And Cummins has also done just that having defended the new opener ahead of the upcoming Ashes series. The captain said he wants Konstas to play with freedom having been selected off the back of his talent. "Don't get too caught up in it," Cummins said of his advice for Konstas after the duck. "Every innings feels like the biggest thing in the world.
"The stat is that the best batters in the world don't hit their average three out of four times, so you're going to fail more often than you're going to succeed. As long as you're a quick learner, as long as you're moving well and giving yourself the best chance, keep doubling down on that and judge yourself after a series, not innings by innings."
Cummins then doubled down and claimed he was convinced Konstas had the talent to be in the side. "For anyone who's starting out their Test career, you're picked for a reason," Cummins added. "It's just about concentrating on what makes you a really good player."
I feel for Sam Konstas. I really do. Thought he might have been set up to fail a bit by all the hype last summer before his (probably premature) selection. Hopefully he'll work out a way through it. https://t.co/rh2y0UQQX7
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) July 4, 2025
All the bowlers got amongst the wickets in both innings in Grenada having restricted the West Indies to 396 runs across both innings. And while the bowlers continue to do their job, more questions are being asked of the batters.
Steve Smith saved Australia in the second innings with 71 runs, while Cameron Green was able to finally post a half-century as Australia posted 243. Alex Carey scored the most runs for Australia across the match, while Beau Webster formed a partnership with the wicketkeeper in the first innings to save the side.
But Australia's opening pair once against struggled against the new ball. Usman Khawaja has struggled in recent times against quicks and posted scores of 16 and two in Grenada. Konstas didn't do much better posting 25 and 0 as question marks remain over the opening pair heading into the Ashes.
Konstas has one more Test match in Kingston to prove to the selectors he is the man for the job heading into the Ashes. While Konstas appears to be given an extended run in the side, building confidence with some runs will be deemed important with only one more Test match left before England visit later this year.
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