Sam Konstas' 'personal' addition for West Indies tour fails to pay off as Aussies flop again

Sam Konstas has already shown in his five-Test career he’s a player who is going to buck traditional cricket conventions. From his Boxing Day ramping blitz against Jasprit Bumrah to charging Scott Boland from the opening overs of a Shield match, the 19-year-old is doing things his way.

And while he’s pulled back on the attack-at-all-costs policy that underlined his introduction to international cricket, Konstas continues to forge his own path. It was revealed during the first session of the third Test against the West Indies that the teenager had his personal batting coach with him in Jamaica to work on his game.

Sam Konstas has his personal batting coach Tahmid Islam on tour with him in the West Indies. Image: Getty/Sam Konstas

Tahmid Islam has been by Konstas’ side since the pair linked up during the opener’s high school years. Islam, a former first-class cricketer, was the batting consultant at prestigious Sydney school Cranbrook and speaks to former pupil Konstas on an almost daily basis.

The pair is known to meet for 6am net sessions when the right-hander feels he needs to work on something in his game. And while such attention to detail speaks to Konstas' dedication and thoroughness, it's unusual for a Test player to have a personal batting coach on tour.

While it may be commonplace for a coach to travel with a player in individual sports like golf and tennis, in teams sports the head coach and his assistants traditionally take control once a side is in camp. Konstas presumably ticked Islam's involvement off with Australian team management and Australia's batting coach Michael Di Venuto, but the arrangement has raised a few eyebrows.

Former Australia batsman Greg Blewett, who is commentating on the West Indies series, hinted having coaches inside and outside the system while in the middle of an overseas tour could lead to mixed messaging. After Konstas again failed in the first innings in Jamaica – trapped lbw on 17 – Blewett said: "I am told Sam Konstas's batting coach is over here.

"The batting coaches need to get together at the start of the series and maybe after each game. They need to confer and have the same strategy, I suppose."

Sam Konstas and Tahmid Islam. Image: Sam Konstas

Konstas was fortunate to survive a runout attempt and a dropped catch in successive deliveries while on 1, before falling to Justin Greaves as Australia were bowled out for just 225 on day one. The 19-year-old was then dismissed for a duck on day two to bring his nightmare tour with the bat to an end.

It follows a lean run of scores since the Sydneysider exploded onto the Test scene at the MCG. After making a debut 60, Konstas has now scored 8, 23, 22, 3, 5, 25, 0, 17 and 0.

Sam Konstas endured a nightmare with the bat in the West Indies. (Photo by RANDY BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

While not guaranteed a spot in next year's Ashes series, the general consensus is Konstas will be given all the time he needs to find his feet at international level. Blewett said: "We've got to remember he's still very young and finding his way in Test cricket. He's a work in progress."

Australia skittled the Windies for just 143 on Sunday night (local time), taking a lead of 82 runs into the second dig. But the Aussies' second innings began in disastrous fashion when they lost Konstas (0), Usman Khawaja (14) and Steve Smith (5) in quick fashion. 

The tourists went to stumps at 6-99, with an unbeaten 42 from Cameron Green the only thing to write home about. The Aussies held a lead of 181 at the close of play, but will be confident considering how hard the batting conditions have been. Boland had early vindicated his selection, taking 3-34 after getting the nod over Nathan Lyon for the day-night Test.

This article originally appeared on Yahoo Sport Australia at https://au.news.yahoo.com/sam-konstas-move-raises-eyebrows-after-personal-addition-for-west-indies-tour-backfires-004214100.html

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