Part of me thinks Sam Konstas won’t play even 10 Test matches: Steve Harmison

One of the rising players in the Australia cricket circuit in the form of Sam Konstas, kicked off his international career in the fourth Test of the 2024-25 edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Notably, the youngster launched his career off to a flier of a start by taking the attack to the Indian bowling unit and ending up with a brisk 60 in his debut innings.

Despite not really matching the expectations he had set after the aforementioned 65-ball knock in Melbourne, he has certainly opened up widespread conversations on his future in the Australian setup. In a recent discussion, former English pacer, Steve Harmison, shared the mixed feelings he possessed about the budding cricketer's future in the red-ball side.

"Part of me thinks Sam Konstas won’t play even 10 Test matches. Part of me thinks this kid can be an absolute superstar if he delivers. He’s got the chat, he’s got the ramps, he’s got the scoops, he’s got the big shots, but has he got a defensive technique to open the batting in Test match cricket against the world’s best?," shared Harmison while speaking on talkSPORT Cricket.

I look at him and think he just wants to be David Warner: Harmison

Steve Harmison compared the youngster's playing style with retired Australian southpaw, David Warner, but felt Konstas had a lot of groundwork to do to be as successful as the latter. In fact, he seemingly took a dig at Konstas that he would love to see him open the innings against the English attack in an intense Test series like The Ashes.

Also Read: Sam Konstas admits 'fault' in provoking Jasprit Bumrah, ending in Usman Khawaja's wicket

“I look at him and think he just wants to be David Warner and technically, he’s nowhere near as good as David and that for me - if he is opening the batting against England, I’d be happy. I really would. I know we are a really long way away from The Ashes," he added.

Notably, Australia have added Konstas to their 16-member roster for the upcoming two-Test tour of Sri Lanka. While Konstas was not tested with spin in the BGT, he will surely be put to the test while facing the Lankan spinners on spin-conducive decks. Interestingly, Nathan McSweeney, who Konstas replaced at the top of the order post the third Test against India, has also been included in the squad.