Australian opener Sam Konstas believes he has improved significantly since his debut, when he produced a half-century against India. The 19-year-old has been named to Australia’s playing XI for the first Test against the West Indies, which starts on June 25.

Konstas, who did not play in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025, is anticipated to open the innings alongside Usman Khawaja in the Caribbean after Marnus Labuschagne was dropped from the squad. He commented on his debut at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, admitting it was his first time playing in front of a large crowd but saying he was able to keep his emotions under control.

“There were several lessons, one of which dealt with my mental side. That was my first time playing in front of a large crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), so I’ve focused on improving my emotional management,” he told cricket.com.au.

“The second aspect would be technological. I’ve been practicing a few things with my front foot, opening it up slightly to gain more access. It only helps me focus on my defence, as I suspected there was a tiny vulnerability. Those are the two things I’m working on, and hopefully they’ll serve me well in the coming games,” he said.

The top-order batsman admits to having constant communication with Khawaja, both on and off the pitch. He stated that he is actively seeking instruction from veteran players to help him traverse the various stages of the game.

“It was wonderful to ponder and take some time off to work on my game. I talk to Usman Khawaja all the time, both on and off the pitch, and whenever we train, I try to seek tips from Uzzie, Marnus Labuschagne, or [Steve] Smith to see how they do things,” Konstas said.

“I just want to be myself and understand when to take on the game and when to soak up the pressure to win games for Australia,” the player said.

Grateful for the opportunity, hopefully I grab it: Sam Konstas

The young opener conceded he is currently focusing on key areas of his batting as he continues to develop his game. He also admitted feeling fortunate to be in this position at such a young age and experiencing different cultures along the way.

“Obviously it’s a tough team to crack into as we’ve got legends of the game in that team. For me, hopefully I grab my opportunity because it’s such a strong side and I’m very grateful for that. I’ve been trying to focus on a few key areas with my batting coach, and I feel like I’ve come a long way, so hopefully I can display that in the next few Test matches. It’s been good training with the whole group and getting to know everyone a lot more,” the Aussie concluded.