“Allan Border Issues Stark Warning to Konstas: ‘Just Stop the Ramp Shot’ Ahead of Ashes”
Former Australia captain stresses conventional batting for young opener, highlights team’s top-order concerns ahead of Test series.
Australia, Oct 22 : Former Australia captain and cricket legend Allan Border has issued a blunt warning to 20-year-old opener Sam Konstas, urging him to curb his reliance on ramp shots and focus on solid, conventional batting techniques if he hopes to secure a future in Test cricket.
Konstas, who made headlines last December with a lively 60 off 65 balls on debut at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, has struggled for consistency in recent months, raising questions about his role in the upcoming Ashes series.
“Sam Konstas, I’ve only ever seen him play a ramp shot. Can he cover drive or anything like that? We just haven’t seen anything but Konstas constantly trying to play this bloody ramp shot. It’s a handy shot to have in the kit bag, but I’d be leaving it there for a while until I’ve got a few on the board,” Border said on SENQ Breakfast.
He added, “Just stop the ramp shot, give yourself a chance to get in, and play conventionally. There are lots of ways to make Test match runs. You don’t have to keep playing the ramp shot.”
Border also commented on Australia’s ongoing opener dilemma. He pointed out that apart from Marnus Labuschagne, no other player is forcing their way into the opening slot. Labuschagne, who has never opened in Tests, has a single century since 2022 and showed modest form in two recent County matches. However, the 31-year-old has started the domestic season strongly, scoring four centuries in five innings across List A and Sheffield Shield games for Queensland.
“It’s a million-dollar question. There’s no one really knocking the door down apart from Labuschagne, and he’s not really listed as an opener. They might ask him to open, and if he’s prepared, he could probably do a good job, but I feel he’ll slot in at No. 3,” Border explained.
He further emphasised the importance of a strong top three, noting, “We need to find some more top-order players. Usman is a lock-in for the first couple of Tests, then I’d go Renshaw. Weatherald is doing well, but the top three is very, very important.”
