Greek Australian Sam Konstas set to debut in Boxing Day Test at the MCG

·

By Billy Cotsis

Sam Konstas takes aim and waits for the ball; takes a step back and bang. It is high, its fast and hits another boundary. The 19-year-old batter who wears a NSW Blues hat, a Greek blue and white hat, and soon a Baggy Green hat, is on a journey to the top via his entertaining cricketing attributes. 

The Greek Australian from Sydney has been making headlines after a starring role at the U-19s World Cup almost a year ago in South Africa, which was won by the Aussies.

After being selected for the Boxing Day Test, Konstas will become the second youngest Australian Test debutant this century. Captain and Aussie great Pat Cummins was 18 years old when he was selected.

In 2023, the young man made his debut for NSW, playing alongside Blake Nikitaras whose father Peter was also a state cricketer and a Greece national cricket team representative.

Konstas’ elegant batting style has netted centuries and 50s in Shield Cricket and also against an Indian XI.

Photo: Getty Images.

Last weekend the dashing Greek Aussie smashed the fastest ever 50 for the Sydney Thunder in the BBL. His attacking mindset led to 56 runs off just 27 balls. 

With opener Nathan McSweeney dropped and Usman Khawaja out of form, Konstas will become the 467th Test player for the Aussies.

Konstas follows in the footsteps of brilliant former Test allrounder Jason Gillespie, whose heritage is Aboriginal, Irish and Greek, and Marcus Stoinis who plays the short version of the game for Australia.

Whichever hat he wears, Konstas will be a player to watch over the next decade, and certainly over the Boxing Day Test.

*Billy Cotsis is the author of The Aegean Seven Take Back the Stolen Marbles.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Kostas Sloukas praises Greek Australian fans as Panathinaikos arrive in Sydney

Panathinaikos BC touched down in Sydney this week for the second leg of the 7th Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament.

From family legacy to the Federal Court: A look into Justice Anastasis Liveris’ legal career

In an exclusive interview with The Greek Herald, the Greek Australian judge reflected on how he felt to achieve this major career milestone.

The Greek influence on Australian television

Among the many communities that helped shape TV culture were Greeks, whose presence both on and off screen left a lasting mark.

Critically endangered monk seal welcomes newborn on Karpathos island

The first Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) birth of 2025 has been confirmed on the island of Karpathos.

Campaigners celebrate as Milos luxury hotel project is halted

Environmental activists have welcomed the suspension of a controversial five-star hotel project on Milos’s world-famous “moon beach”.

You May Also Like

Consul General of Greece to Sydney meets with NSW Governor

The Consul General of Greece to Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis, met with Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley, Governor of NSW.

Parramatta Council and Lysicrates Foundation launch ‘James Martin’ storytelling competition

Students have been invited to put pen to paper to tell the true story of someone they admire or know who has become their own success story.

Antetokounmpo sues artist over alleged ‘Greek Freak’ knockoffs

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, the 2019 National Basketball Association most valuable player, sued a Pennsylvania man on Monday for allegedly selling “Greek Freak”...