Steven May Sorrento Hotel Incident

[4_Kent_Watts 895]

15 hours ago, Jumping Jack Clennett said:

Did you see how he batted when he made a century in each innings early this Shield season?   I think he can adapt to the situation.

Yep and I'm glad he got rewarded, glad the teams made a few changes but Shield Cricket is a different game at International level. Plenty of great Shield players couldn't make it as Test players but I'm hoping he backs himself and doesn't get sucked into thinking he's Maxwell. 

[DistrACTION Jackson 9,401]

17 hours ago, BLWNBA said:

I’m trusting you’ve held the same opinion and conviction regarding the outcome of the May and Melksham incident at Entrecôte, and for this current May ‘incident’, yeah? 

Completely different incidents... one is an argument between teammates, the other a sexual harassment issue. Not sure how you can reconcile putting these anywhere near the same category?

[Ghostwriter 2,202]

15 minutes ago, 4_Kent_Watts said:

Yep and I'm glad he got rewarded, glad the teams made a few changes but Shield Cricket is a different game at International level. Plenty of great Shield players couldn't make it as Test players but I'm hoping he backs himself and doesn't get sucked into thinking he's Maxwell. 

No one, but NO ONE is or ever will be Maxwell. 😁 The man’s a freak. Last night’s knock was a joy to watch and the way he kept the strike for so long, while not terribly Big Bash-ish, was brilliant. Of course, the ‘Gades fans who I was sitting with didn’t share my enthusiasm but enjoyed the Big Show nonetheless. 

[picket fence 17,666]

On 12/01/2025 at 10:49, Ghostwriter said:

Probs not a popular opinion but I don’t like the way Konstas goes about it. Right from the get-go he struck me as a cocky little upstart who needs to be brought down a peg or 100. Getting involved with a situation between Uzzy and Jasprit (which arguably cost Uzzy his wicket) confirmed it. For mine he lacks something Scotty Boland, for eg. has in spades… humility and modesty. 

Cant believe you saying this Ghosty, but I agree 100% Also, this type of batting at this level is unsustainable!

[Ghostwriter 2,202]

20 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Uzzy got himself out, had nothing to do with the kid

38 year old opening batsman…Not for long…..

That’s not the point. He had no business getting involved in a situation that had nothing to do with him. 
 

Not only was it none of his business, I don’t care what country you play for but when you’re a 19yo debutant you show the world’s best bowler some respect, you DO NOT tell him to “get back to your mark.” This is Test Match cricket, not darts down at the local. 

Edited yesterday at 02:39 by Ghostwriter

[Ghostwriter 2,202]

1 hour ago, picket fence said:

Cant believe you saying this Ghosty, but I agree 100% Also, this type of batting at this level is unsustainable!

Definitely is unsustainable, especially as an opener. 

[waynewussell 6,284]

On 12/01/2025 at 10:49, Ghostwriter said:

Probs not a popular opinion but I don’t like the way Konstas goes about it. Right from the get-go he struck me as a cocky little upstart who needs to be brought down a peg or 100. Getting involved with a situation between Uzzy and Jasprit (which arguably cost Uzzy his wicket) confirmed it. For mine he lacks something Scotty Boland, for eg. has in spades… humility and modesty. 

I suggest Konstas was given the task of unsettling Bumrah, one way or the other! He had a green light to get under the Indians' skin. It seems to have worked! Konstas has a very sound defence, so not just a trail blazer. He has good scores at State level when others around him were falling like flies. He doesn't have to be the agent provocateur every game, but he certainly drew the plaudits of teammates and coaches for his contribution once selected.

[Macca 17,064]

36 minutes ago, waynewussell said:

I suggest Konstas was given the task of unsettling Bumrah, one way or the other! He had a green light to get under the Indians' skin. It seems to have worked! Konstas has a very sound defence, so not just a trail blazer. He has good scores at State level when others around him were falling like flies. He doesn't have to be the agent provocateur every game, but he certainly drew the plaudits of teammates and coaches for his contribution once selected.

Further to that, the seaming Sydney wicket needed an unorthodox approach where a correct technique and orthodox approach just didn't work for most of the batsmen

In Melbourne, Konstas started off playing in an orthodox manner but Bumrah was so difficult to combat that Konstas went unorthodox (and changed the course of the match)

It's looking like Travis Head will open the batting in Sri Lanka but the next test match after that is the WTC!  

It needs to be noted that in his small sample size at First Class level, Konstas was seen to have played in an orthodox manner

So it's difficult to judge him on his 2 test appearances.  It's definitely a wait and see with Konstas

And there's a chance that Konstas' words to Bumrah (in Melbourne) was in response to what Bumrah might have been saying to Khawaja.  Sticking up for his partner?  

 

p.s ... whatever happened to the cricket thread? 🙃

 

[BLWNBA 1,147]

5 hours ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

Completely different incidents... one is an argument between teammates, the other a sexual harassment issue. Not sure how you can reconcile putting these anywhere near the same category?

DD’s point related to a ‘violent assault’, which seems fitting of both the Entrecôte incident and the alleged incident at the Sorrento Hotel, using DD’s wordage. 
 

The video evidence tendered to both the defence and prosecution relating to JDG showed that the alleged initial victims account of how the event unfolded was inaccurate, which prompted the Prosecution to withdraw the charge related to forcible touching being withdrawn (which directly related to the female complainant), in addition to several other of the assault charges. JDG in turn plead guilty to a harassment charge relating to a singular male victim. 

[tilly18 304]

5 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

That’s not the point. He had no business getting involved in a situation that had nothing to do with him. 
 

Not only was it none of his business, I don’t care what country you play for but when you’re a 19yo debutant you show the world’s best bowler some respect, you DO NOT tell him to “get back to your mark.” This is Test Match cricket, not darts down at the local. 

Just out of curiosity, how many tests will Konstas need to play when he will be deemed appropriate to participate in on field gamesmanship.

[binman 43,982]

4 hours ago, waynewussell said:

I suggest Konstas was given the task of unsettling Bumrah, one way or the other! He had a green light to get under the Indians' skin. It seems to have worked! Konstas has a very sound defence, so not just a trail blazer. He has good scores at State level when others around him were falling like flies. He doesn't have to be the agent provocateur every game, but he certainly drew the plaudits of teammates and coaches for his contribution once selected.

Agree that is very likely he was encouraged to wind up the Indians.

And his behaviour should be seen in that light I reckon (not to mention the complete inappropriateness of kohlis behaviour towards him - ie the shoulder charge, constant chirping and the childish, pathetic running at him when bumrah got Khawaja out last ball of the day).

Not sure if it worked in terms of knocking bumrah of his game. He bowled Khawaja a few ball later and was never anything less than brilliant. 

But I reckon it definitely worked in terms of distracting the Indian team more broadly, particularly kholi who failed to score the runs the India's desperately needed in Melbourne ans Sydney - not to mention completely failing to provide the sort of leadership his team needed.  

I loved the energy the kid brought. 

[whatwhat say what 22,998]

kid konstas batting more sensibly in big bash than vs bumrah in tests

what a world...

i think he's going to play a lot of test cricket for oztraya over the next 10-15 years

[picket fence 17,666]

3 hours ago, tilly18 said:

Just out of curiosity, how many tests will Konstas need to play when he will be deemed appropriate to participate in on field gamesmanship.

I'll tip that he wont make it as a Test opener so part of your question is irrelevant!

[picket fence 17,666]

3 hours ago, binman said:

Agree that is very likely he was encouraged to wind up the Indians.

And his behaviour should be seen in that light I reckon (not to mention the complete inappropriateness of kohlis behaviour towards him - ie the shoulder charge, constant chirping and the childish, pathetic running at him when bumrah got Khawaja out last ball of the day).

Not sure if it worked in terms of knocking bumrah of his game. He bowled Khawaja a few ball later and was never anything less than brilliant. 

But I reckon it definitely worked in terms of distracting the Indian team more broadly, particularly kholi who failed to score the runs the India's desperately needed in Melbourne ans Sydney - not to mention completely failing to provide the sort of leadership his team needed.  

I loved the energy the kid brought. 

Ar no Khawajs plays the ball late, his eyes are going and he never gets far enough forward. That ball did little and should have been played comfortably and was not! Down to Khawaja but Konstas needs to establish himself and not tryto play mind games. Out if his league and gets above himself IMV

[tilly18 304]

23 minutes ago, picket fence said:

I'll tip that he wont make it as a Test opener so part of your question is irrelevant!

Which part of the question is irrelevant.

Konstas was bullied. He responded in kind. Good for him.

Hookes responded to Tony Greig when he sent him off during the centenary test. I suppose he was out of line as well.

[DubDee 26,180]

On Konstas he came in based off unbelievable form

Handled Bumrah differently and changed that test

Cricket is crying out for some personality and we think he is arrogant?

I personally like the bloke. 

[Neil Crompton 5,699]

16 hours ago, waynewussell said:

I suggest Konstas was given the task of unsettling Bumrah, one way or the other! He had a green light to get under the Indians' skin. 

I would suggest that is not correct. We are talking about a very young first gamer. There is no way he would be given the instruction to “get under the Indians’ skin”. As Cummins said, Konstas was given the freedom to play his own game. But no way would he have been told to “unsettle Bumrah”. 

[picket fence 17,666]

10 hours ago, tilly18 said:

Which part of the question is irrelevant.

Konstas was bullied. He responded in kind. Good for him.

Hookes responded to Tony Greig when he sent him off during the centenary test. I suppose he was out of line as well.

I doubt whether he is a Test class player, so when is he ready will become irrellevant!

[waynewussell 6,284]

1 hour ago, Neil Crompton said:

I would suggest that is not correct. We are talking about a very young first gamer. There is no way he would be given the instruction to “get under the Indians’ skin”. As Cummins said, Konstas was given the freedom to play his own game. But no way would he have been told to “unsettle Bumrah”. 

"Unsettle" in the broad sense... Unsettle by playing unconventionally. Plain as day, those shots in his innings in Melbourne were unconventional, inspiring, in fact. It has already been mentioned that Konstas seemingly got verbal for the first time when Koli got physical. The next notable 'verbals' came when Bumrah lost his patience with the time wasting.

[waynewussell 6,284]

2 minutes ago, picket fence said:

I doubt whether he is a Test class player, so when is he ready will become irrellevant!

Perfect time capsule material!

[binman 43,982]

1 hour ago, Neil Crompton said:

I would suggest that is not correct. We are talking about a very young first gamer. There is no way he would be given the instruction to “get under the Indians’ skin”. As Cummins said, Konstas was given the freedom to play his own game. But no way would he have been told to “unsettle Bumrah”. 

Well, at least one highly respected ex Australian test player begs to differ:

https://au.news.yahoo.com/simon-katich-goes-public-with-eye-opening-theory-about-sam-konstas-after-india-controversy-013806909.html

"I just wonder whether he was given the brief to disrupt Bumrah and the Indians and just go out there with intent and (the mindset that) whatever happens, happens. Because there's a lot more freedom when you're 19 knowing that if you don't get it right the first time around (then) you can go back, work on your game and then fight your way back in, you've got time on your side."

Edited yesterday at 22:03 by binman

[forever demons 2,249]

19 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

That’s not the point. He had no business getting involved in a situation that had nothing to do with him. 
 

Not only was it none of his business, I don’t care what country you play for but when you’re a 19yo debutant you show the world’s best bowler some respect, you DO NOT tell him to “get back to your mark.” This is Test Match cricket, not darts down at the local. 

I hear what you are saying but in team sport everyone stands up for their team mates age is no barrier.There are only 2 players out there against 11 so when one is coping a verbal barrage he has to stand up and be counted.I do understand where you are  coming  from though

Edited yesterday at 22:07 by forever demons
add word

[tilly18 304]

38 minutes ago, picket fence said:

I doubt whether he is a Test class player, so when is he ready will become irrellevant!

He's played 2 tests, one in which he set the victory up. You don't think you have gone too early?

He has been picked at the elite level. If he backed down to the gamesmanship I could perhaps, at a stretch, understand your thinking. He however mixed it with Kholi and Bummrah. 

Test cricket is based around the Ian Chappell way rather than the Neddy Flanders leftorium business model.

[Neil Crompton 5,699]

59 minutes ago, binman said:

Well, at least one highly respected ex Australian test player begs to differ:

https://au.news.yahoo.com/simon-katich-goes-public-with-eye-opening-theory-about-sam-konstas-after-india-controversy-013806909.html

"I just wonder whether he was given the brief to disrupt Bumrah and the Indians and just go out there with intent and (the mindset that) whatever happens, happens. Because there's a lot more freedom when you're 19 knowing that if you don't get it right the first time around (then) you can go back, work on your game and then fight your way back in, you've got time on your side."

Bunny, think about it logically. Do you really believe that McDonald would instruct Konstas, in his first test, to do that? That would be like Goody telling Langford in his first game, to rough up Maynard. If it happened I’d be incredibly shocked. 

[binman 43,982]

46 minutes ago, Neil Crompton said:

Bunny, think about it logically. Do you really believe that McDonald would instruct Konstas, in his first test, to do that? That would be like Goody telling Langford in his first game, to rough up Maynard. If it happened I’d be incredibly shocked. 

Yes, as I previously noted I think it very likely that is precisely what they did.

As does Simon Katich - who as well as having played test match cricket is a super smart dude.

It's a cliche because it's true - sport, and particularly test match cricket, is 90% played above the shoulder.

Crickey teams are always looking to get in their opponents heads - that is what sledging is all about.

Given sledging is more difficult now it seems completely logical they would look for other ways to psyche India out.

And if, for the sake of argument, you accept it occurred it was wildly successful.

The Indians never really regained their equilibrium after konstas' first knock and we won the last two tests.

And after a decade reclaimed the border - gavaskar trophy