Sam Konstas eager to represent Australia after ton against India

Sam Konstas, one of the brightest batters in Australian cricket, is eagerly waiting to wear the Baggy Green, especially after he hit a century (107 off 97 balls) against the Indian bowling line-up in a pink-ball 50-over match in Canberra. 

"I really want the chance, I love being challenged and hopefully that can happen soon. I feel like I'm in a good headspace. It's been the best few months I've had, and hopefully, one day I can represent my country,” Konstas was quoted as saying by AAP. 

Talking about his immediate goals, Konstas, who is playing for New South Wales in Sheffield Shield 2024-25, said that he wants to focus on scoring big runs and knocking on the doors of the Australian team.  

"For me, it's focusing on Friday and then trying to score runs to put myself forward. It would be a huge honour to represent my country one day,” said the 19-year-old. 

Konstas, the U-19 World Cup winning captain, was in close race with Nathan McSweeney for the opener’s position after the selectors decided that they would want a permanent opener instead of Smith doing the makeshift role. 

However, missing that chance by not being able to outscore McSweeney in the two four-day games series has not affected the cricket prodigy a lot.  

"I feel like it's all part of the journey. I didn't get the runs that I would have liked. But I've been reflecting on how I could have done better and challenging how they got me out and tactics they used,” said the man with 383 runs in four Shield games so far.