19 hours Ago By Pavan Naidu
In a remarkable achievement, Sam Konstas became the youngest Australian opener in Test cricket history to score a fifty on debut against India. At just 19 years and 85 days old, he broke the record previously held by Archie Jackson, who was 19 years and 149 days old when he scored 164 against England in Adelaide in 1928-29. Moreover, the debutant on Thursday achieved an elusive feat for Australia during the Boxing Day Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Konstas set the landmark of becoming the second youngest player to score a half-century for Australia in Test cricket. At the age of 19 years and 85 days, Konstas smashed his maiden international fifty at MCG. Ian Craig holds the top spot on the chart.
He smashed his maiden fifty at the age of 17 years and 240 days in 1953. Neil Harvey stands in third place after his half-century at the age of 19 years and 121 days in 1948. Meanwhile, Archie Jackson stands in fourth place with a fifty at the age of 19 years and 150 days in 1929.
The young batting sensation played a 60-run knock from 65 balls in his debut match against India. He smashed 6 fours and 2 sixes during his time on the crease. The 19-year-old played fearless cricket on Thursday, however, his knock came to an end in the 20th over when India spinner Ravindra Jadeja dismissed him.
India mounted a comeback on Day 1 of the fourth Border-Gavaskar Test, ending the day with Australia at 311/6. After fifties from Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Sam Konstas, and Usman Khawaja the visitors clawed their way back into the game. Currently, the ongoing BGT series level at 1-1, both sides will be playing the much-anticipated Boxing Day Test intending to secure an all-important series lead needed to push a case for the ICC World Test Championship final.
(With inputs from ANI).
