Australian debutant Sam Konstas has produced one of the most memorable Boxing Day performances in Test history, stunning India’s world-class bowling attack with a rapid fifty at the MCG.
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Unfazed by the enormity of the occasion, the 19-year-old whipped out a flurry of ramps, scoops and slogs to make India’s bowlers look amateurish in the Victorian capital, racing to a maiden Test half-century in just 52 balls. It was the third fastest fifty by an Australian debutant in Tests, behind Adam Gilchrist and Ashton Agar.
He ultimately fell victim to Indian spinner Ravindra Jadeja late in the morning session, trapped on the pads for 60 before receiving a deserved standing ovation from the sold-out crowd.
Australia is 2-176 at tea on day one with Steve Smith (10*) and Marnus Labuschagne (44*) unbeaten in the middle.
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After the hosts won the toss and chose to bat first in hot conditions, Konstas launched into a fearless assault that included a trio of audacious ramps against Jasprit Bumrah. For the first time in the series, the Indian quick was under pressure, conceding his first six in 4483 Test deliveries.
Konstas wasn’t afraid to charge at India’s quicks, scoring runs in all corners of the iconic venue. If not for the white clothing, spectators would have been forgiven for wondering whether they had accidentally purchased tickets for a Big Bash game.
The clueless Indians resorted to intimidation, with seamer Mohammed Siraj walking down the pitch chirping at Konstas between deliveries. During a change of ends, superstar Virat Kohli intentionally marched towards the teenager and bumped shoulders, forcing intervention from the umpires.
The scoring tempo dropped after Konstas’ departure – the afternoon session kicked off with four consecutive maidens as Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne combined for a watchful 65-run partnership for the second wicket. India was becoming desperate, with Siraj switching the bails at the striker’s end between deliveries.
Khawaja brought up his half-century in 101 deliveries before toe-ending a half-tracker from Bumrah towards mid-wicket, trudging off for 57.
Earlier, India dropped a bombshell by omitting batter Shubman Gill for the Boxing Day clash and recalling spinner Washington Sundar.
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