“You play the way you want to play” - Steve Smith gives verdict on Australian debutant in BGT 2024-25

Star Australia batter Steve Smith has opened up on Sam Konstas' risky and audacious strokeplay in his brief Test career so far. The 35-year-old observed that he had seen Konstas play both ways (conventional and unorthodox) and urged the 19-year-old to play how he wanted to.

Konstas made his Test debut in the cauldron of Boxing Day in Melbourne and played a quick-fire knock of 60 (65). Some audacious strokes against the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj characterized his innings. However, the 19-year-old struggled to play them as consistently in his following knocks.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Smith observed that Konstas has all the tools to play according to the situation and said (as quoted by Fox Cricket):

"As a batter, you can only learn by yourself, in a way. You play the way you want to play because it’s your career. From there, you learn along the way through experiences. I’ve seen him bat like that and I’ve seen him bat more conventionally in a Shield game and do really well. He’s got all the tools and I think he has the ability when he wants to to absorb pressure, and he’s got the ability to put a lot of pressure back on (the bowlers)."

The high-voltage five-Test series against India also witnessed a few flashpoints involving the youngster. Virat Kohli made shoulder contact with him on Day 1 in Melbourne, while Konstas himself indulged in a verbal altercation with Jasprit Bumrah in Syndey.

"I feel like I’ve been batting nicely for a while now" - Steve Smith

Steve Smith. (Image Credits: Getty)

Reacting to his up-and-down form, Smith said he was merely 'out of runs' and that it was good to contribute a couple of centuries in the series against India. The veteran added in the same discussion:

"I feel like I’ve been batting nicely for a while now. Even before I scored the hundreds, I said to you guys (the media) that I was batting nicely and hitting the ball well. I think there’s a real difference between out of form and out of runs, and I think I was out of runs. A couple of good scores was cool to contribute to the team’s success over the summer.”

The New South Welshman, who will captain Australia during the Sri Lanka tour, finished the series against India as the third-highest run-getter — 314. Australia won the 2024-25 BGT by 3-1.