Konstas gearing himself up for an Ashes push as he takes the advise of his inner circle on board with seriousness.
Konstas trusting advice of his ‘inner circle’ ahead of Ashes push.
Although Sam Konstas is well aware that he must survive a “massive” run of Sheffield Shield games early in the season in order to keep his Test spot for the Ashes opener, he is concentrating on blocking out much of the chatter and having faith in his inner circle.
Despite difficult circumstances that made life difficult for both sides’ top orders, Konstas managed to score fifty runs in six innings during a tumultuous series against the West Indies. Although they were his first Test matches since he made his debut against India the previous season, he is now back in the mix for the November match against England.
After taking a break following the tour, he has returned to training with New South Wales and will play again during the four-day portion of the Australia A tour of India next month. Australia’s five-Test tour in early 2027 means that the selectors have a longer view of that trip. While runs won’t hamper Konstas’ short-term goals, what matters most will be his performance in the early rounds of the Shield in October.
What Konstas said
“It’s massive, it’s going to be a big four games and I expect that,” Konstas said on the day a new four-year deal with Sydney Thunder in the BBL was announced that will keep him at the club until 2029. “But for me, [it’s about] just being in the present moment, don’t get too fixated about the outcome and just be very process-driven in those games. Not getting too fazed about what other people say, and obviously have that inner circle that I trust.
“For me it’s just trying to best prepare, and then obviously trusting what I think is right in that current moment,” Konstas added. “It was my first time playing in the West Indies, and first time facing those bowlers. They bowled well and hopefully I can build from that experience.
“Adopting the right mindset, training hard, not leaving any regrets. For me, that’s the big thing, just the way I prepare, and especially with the people that I trust, having honest conversations with them when necessary and leaving it to that.”