“Within 18 months”: Ricky Ponting’s huge call on teen prodigy Sam Konstas

Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting is a big fan of New South Wales opener Sam Konstas.

The 19-year-old was in the conversation to open in the first Test against India despite playing just eight First Class games and Ponting can understand why.

Although Konstas was eventually overlooked for South Australia’s Nathan McSweeney, the former captain does not believe it will take him long to make his way into the Test team.

So far, Konstas has only played First Class games at the SCG, MCG, Cricket Central, Allan Border Field and Mackay and Ponting thinks that once he gets some more experience around the country he’ll force his way into the side.

The all-time great expects that to take less than 18 months.

“I’ve watched a lot of his highlights,” Ponting said on SEN 1170’s The Run Home with Joel & Fletch.

“After the first Shield game this year when he scored two hundreds, I got asked about him and I thought they’d pick him in the Test team.

“But then I thought a bit deeper about it. He has no experience around Australia yet but give him 12 months when he’s played at the Gabba, played at Perth and other venues.

“With a bit more experience, he’s got all the talent, he will open the batting for Australia within 18 months.”

Watch Ponting’s full chat with Joel & Fletch ahead of the Aussie Test summer: