NEW DELHI: Australia wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey denied rumors of any animosity between Sam Konstas and Virat Kohli following their brief physical incident on the first day of the Boxing Day Test, which resulted in the Indian legend being fined 20% of his match fees.
Before Khawaja intervened to break up the furious exchange of words, both players swiftly turned around to look at one another.The two also spoke with the on-field referees.
“Not that I’m aware of… I think I saw a photo of them shaking hands and a little tap on the back. It’s Test cricket. I’m not 100 per cent sure, but Sam didn’t take it to heart,” Carey told reporters on Wednesday ahead of the fifth Test against India beginning at the SCG on Friday.
Although Carey expressed his admiration for the manner rookie opener Sam Konstas struck a daring half-century against India in the Boxing Day Test, he maintained that it was unlikely to serve as a “blueprint” for future games.
On December 26, 19-year-old Konstas made his debut at the MCG in front of a nearly sold-out crowd. He showed no signs of nervousness during his brilliant 60 off 65 balls, which was adorned with two sixes off India’s top bowler, Jasprit Bumrah.
“I was a spectator that first session,” Carey said.
“I probably had the emotions of the 90,000 (spectators) that were there. At times I couldn’t watch it, at times I was cheering,” said Carey.
Australia’s batting was given a fairly aggressive start by Konstas, who was given the Test cap following Nathan McSweeney‘s lackluster first three games. However, Carey stated that he didn’t anticipate the teenaged opener to be completely explosive in every match.
“Just the energy he brought, it was something different. Probably wasn’t expecting that amount of difference, but he played a style of cricket that was probably new to India as well.
“We’ll wait and see how he plays out here (SCG). I don’t think that’s his blueprint every Test match, but to be able to throw a few punches early and get a bit of momentum for us, the opening partnership was probably just lacking that intensity,” he added.
He claimed that although McSweeney and Usman Khawaja, the opening duo in the first three Test matches, had performed admirably in “tough situations,” Konstas offered something more.
“I thought Nathan and Usman got us through tough situations as well by facing lots of balls. Sam was able to score a little bit, so hopefully another opportunity in front of his home fans.”
