Tahmid Islam not surprised about Konstas taking on Jasprit Bumrah as he speaks about switching between formats.
Tahmid Islam was told by his protege Sam Konstas that he would only play the scoop against Jasprit Bumrah after he reached 150.
However, Konstas presented his ideas for the scoop following several early plays and misses against the champion fast bowler during his debut at the MCG. Tahmid, the 29-year-old batting coach for Konstas, was not overly shocked.
In an interview with Bangladeshi reporters on Saturday, which was organised by Prime Bank Cricket Club—Tahmid’s squad from his brief time in the Dhaka Premier League a few years ago—he made this claim. In Bangladesh, Tahmid’s appointment as Konstas’ batting coach has garnered media attention.
Tahmid, speaking via Zoom, said Konstas’ instincts took over on Test debut. “We were having dinner the night before when he told me that the plan was to only scoop once he got to 150,” Tahmid said. “It wasn’t really part of the plan [to play the shot so early]. But he is someone that plays on instinct. He plays with a lot of freedom. He doesn’t really think of the consequences of what people are going to say if he gets it wrong. I think it is his biggest skill and asset. Whereas loads of players think about the consequences like ‘what if I fail doing it’ or ‘what if I get out playing it’. Or ‘the media and coaching staff will have a go at me’.”
“Sam is quite assured in his game. After playing and missing six times in his first ten or 12 balls, he thought that the best way to put pressure on Bumrah was to try to put him off his length. He threw a different challenge at Bumrah, which was really good for Sam. It really shell-shocked India. They weren’t expecting a 19-year-old to come out and play with that sort of freedom.”
According to Tahmid, who works with Elevate Cricket Coaching, Konstas’ shot selection against a bowler of Bumrah’s calibre scarcely shocked him.
“It isn’t a surprise. The reason Australia picked him was to throw India a different challenge. Sam took on the Indian bowling attack, minus Bumrah. During his century for the Prime Minister’s XI against India about three weeks ago. He played with a lot of freedom. He played the reverse-scoop. Ran down the wicket to play back over the bowler’s head.
“Sam is someone who will play some shots and put people off their lengths, as opposed to the traditional approach. It was a bit of a gamble. It paid off for Australia. Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith were talking about how Sam’s innings gave them the opportunity to consequently go out and express themselves as well. It was the freedom which they probably lacked in the first three games.”