‘I’ll take the compliment’: Prodigy unfazed by deafening hype as ‘dream’ Test calls grow louder

He was belting everything on Tuesday on his way to a record-breaking BBL half-century, but teen sensation Sam Konstas was on the defensive two days later when peppered with questions about his possible Test debut after English legend Michael Vaughan urged Australian selectors to pick him for the final two matches against India.

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Konstas has been the talk of the summer, with the 19-year-old hitting twin tons in the Sheffield Shield for NSW and a century for the Prime Minister’s XI against India before he lit up Manuka Oval to become the youngest player to score a 50 on debut in the Thunder’s thrilling win over Adelaide.

The teen star now has 736 runs this summer across the Sheffield Shield, One-Day Cup, Australia A and BBL along with his 107 for the PM’s XI.

It’s why Vaughan said in commentary on Wednesday that Konstas should be picked for either the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne or for what could be the series decider on his home deck in Sydney, with Australia’s top three struggling for runs.

“I’ll take the compliment, but I’m just trying to focus on the game against the Sydney Sixers,” Konstas said, having already said earlier this month that he’s ready to make his Test debut.

“Hopefully, I can get the opportunity one day (to represent Australia) and see what happens.

“Scoring runs is my main priority and backing myself.

“I’ve just got to keep scoring runs and let the other coaches select me.”

Konstas has handled everything that’s come his way and has welcomed a showdown with Indian quick Jasprit Bumrah, describing him as “pretty good” and adding “hopefully we’ll find out one day” when asked how he’d go facing him.

The calls for Konstas to open the batting will only grow louder as he continues to score runs, especially given he can do it a rapid rate, which has been an issue for Australia’s top order this series.

“It would be a dream come true,” he said when asked what it would mean to debut at the MCG in front of a sold-out crowd.

“Maybe, I’d get a little nervous before the game, but I’ve worked really hard for that. Hopefully, it happens one day, but we’ll see.”

If he’s not picked in Melbourne, selectors will be tempted to choose him in Sydney regardless of whether the series is alive.

The ground holds special memories for the young gun who now gets to open the batting with a former Test star who made his day a few years ago.

“It’s home for me. Every time I walk out there I get goosebumps on that field,” Konstas said.

“Having my family there and all my friends (would be awesome) because it’s a second home to me.

“Getting a few signatures from David Warner when I was younger (was a highlight for me at the SCG), so opening with him now is quite surreal.

“I remember being a kid and watching as a fan, so playing with him is something I’m grateful for.”

Warner has always been fearless when out in the middle, and it’s a word that Thunder all-rounder Daniel Sams used to describe Konstas after his incredible innings against the Strikers.

Sams got the Thunder over the line with some late fireworks, but it was Konstas who set up the run chase with a rapid 56 ahead of Saturday’s Sydney Smash.

“I think he’s just fearless,” he said.

“At his young age, he probably hasn’t had much failure, so it’s just (a case) of go out there and see ball, hit ball.

“He showed that it’s not necessarily (just) potential because he’s consistently performing now.

“At such a young age he’s got a level head on his shoulders. I haven’t spent a heap of time with him … but from the little bit I have been involved, he just seems unflappable for someone so young.

“I’m really excited to see what he does for us for the rest of the season and moving forward with his career.”

The public is still getting to know Konstas, who shook everyone’s hand at Thursday’s media opportunity, with Sams revealing that there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to a young man who is looking at a long international career.

“He’s a funny character,” he said.

“You kind of think that the lights are on but no one’s at home, but I reckon he’s a bit smarter than what he lets on.”