Young Australian batter Sam Konstas opened up about how his mother reacted to his maiden Test call-up for the Boxing Day Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. 

The 19-year-old reflected on his Test call-up while attending the Big Bash League (BBL) between the Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers. He recalled receiving a call from Australian chief selector George Bailey while he was in the nets and immediately contacting his parents. Konstas fought back tears as he spoke to his mother, who was very emotional upon hearing the news.

“I was actually in the nets when I received the call from George Bailey, and he told me that I was in the Test squad. I was thrilled and called my parents right away. They were very emotional. I hope to meet the team tomorrow and go from there."

He added "Mum was in tears, so I was trying not to cry, and Dad was super proud. It’s been an amazing journey with all its ups and downs, and I’m very grateful for their sacrifices,”.

Sam Konstas recent performances

However, he has been in magnificent form in the Sheffield Shield, being the second-highest run-scorer for New South Wales (NSW) with 471 runs from eight innings at an average of 58.87, which includes two hundreds and one fifty.

Earlier, he scored a remarkable hundred for the Prime Minister’s XI against India during a pink-ball warm-up fixture, making 107 runs off 97 balls, with 14 fours and a six, helping his team reach a total of 240. He also made a match-winning unbeaten 73 in the second unofficial Test against India A.

Despite coming into the series on the back of good form, Konstas will face a challenging task against India's ace speedster Jasprit Bumrah, who proved to be a formidable opponent for his predecessor, Nathan McSweeney.