"I wouldn't use the word arrogance": NSW coach defends Konstas's attacking style

NSW Coach Greg Shipperd has defended Sam Konstas’s attacking style of Test batting, saying the young Australian opener’s game will evolve with experience.

Konstas made his Australian Test debut in the Boxing Day Test against India, replacing Nathan McSweeney as opener, and set the cricket world alight with a blistering 60-run knock off 65 balls full of creative and audacious shots.

Konstas drew criticisms for his ‘arrogant’ batting approach after being dismissed cheaply in his next three innings, but also seemed to greatly upset the Indian side, with the likes of Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah directly singling the teenager out on multiple instances.

Shipperd, who coached Konstas at Sheffield Shield level, said that Konstas’s style will see him stay in the team for a long time.

“I wouldn’t use the word arrogance to describe him in any way shape or form,” Shipperd said on SEN Mornings.

“I guess Sam’s taken the really aggressive route and was to play some shots that we would call T20 cricket but that was his form of problem solving in the moment.

“It could be described as chaotic by a lot of people, but I think over time we… will add the craftsmanship to that particular approach. We've started a player off…. and he’s gonna be around for a long time.”

Shipperd also criticised the actions of the Indian team, particularly Virat Kohli, who was fined by the ICC for making deliberate contact with Konstas during his debut innings.

“I think it was a disgraceful act and should’ve been penalised far more severely,” Shipperd revealed.

“Quite clearly he, or the circumstance, got under the skin of Jasprit (Bumrah) and their team response was super aggressive towards him but I think he’ll walk through that and look forward to his next opportunity in Sri Lanka.”

Sam Konstas will next appear for the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League on January 8, before likely being included in Australia’s squad for the tour of Sri Lanka.