Last Updated on 6 months ago by Charbel Coorey

Allan Border did not mince words when talking about youngster Sam Konstas. The former Australian captain believes Konstas needs to focus on getting his technique right to succeed at Test level.

Konstas has experienced a slow start to the Sheffield Shield season. The 20-year-old has managed scores of 4, 14, 0 and 53 so far. Speculation is growing as to whether the opener will hold his place in the Test team for the Ashes considering he had a tough time of things in the West Indies as well earlier this year with 50 runs at 8.33.

“Stop the ramp shot” – Allan Border on Sam Konstas

Speaking on SENQ Breakfast, Border said Konstas needs to put the ramp shot away. He was dismissed for 20 playing the shot in New South Wales’ One Day Cup match against Victoria earlier this week.

“Sam Konstas, I’ve only ever seen him play a ramp shot. Can he cover drive or anything like that?”, Border said, as quoted by SEN.

“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 also said that Konstas needs to give himself a chance to get settled at the crease. The former captain, who scored 11,174 Test runs, said there are many ways to score at this level.

“It’s hard to tell people how to bat specifically, but I’d be saying ‘just stop the ramp shot, just give yourself a chance to get yourself in and just conventionally playing’, said Border.

“There’s lots of ways to make Test match runs. You don’t have to ramp playing the ramp shot. He’s good enough from what I’m hearing, but I just haven’t seen it yet.”

New South Wales’ next Sheffield Shield match is against Queensland at the Gabba. The match starts on October 28. Runs for Konstas in that match will do him the world of good given it will be against the likes of Michael Neser.