'A small, little thing': Greg Blewett pinpoints worrying Sam Konstas flaw after another failure
Former Aussie Test batter Greg Blewett has identified a technical flaw in Sam Konstas' footwork after he was dismissed for a fourth-ball duck late on day two of the second Test against the West Indies.
As he was in the second innings of the first Test, Konstas was out on Saturday morning (AEST) having dragged a wide delivery back onto his stumps.
In Bridgetown, it was Shamar Joseph who did the damage. In St Georges, it was Jayden Seales. Konstas shook his head as he walked from the field.
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In commentary for ESPN, Blewett said it looked like Konstas was battling balance issues, and pointed to a subtle movement he made after playing the fatal shot.
"From a technical point of view ... I've noticed probably more so in Barbados and here, a few balance issues," he explained.
Sam Konstas chopped on for a fourth-ball duck. ESPN
"With that dismissal, his feet aren't planted and he's throwing his hands at the ball. There's been a couple of times even when he hasn't got out he's played his shot and then his feet have moved again which indicates he's not quite balanced.
"It's just a small little thing ... Konstas throws his hands at the ball, and his feet are still moving. That's not ideal. It suggests to me things aren't quite right with his balance."
After his swashbuckling four innings against India at the back end of the home summer, Konstas worked hard on returning to the technically sound batting technique that had served him so well in shield cricket.
Konstas shook his head as he walked from the field. AP
Blewett said before this series, Konstas had opened his front foot – pointed it further towards the bowler rather than point – in his batting stance in a bid to help him get forward.
"Whether that's just thrown things out a bit, I'm not too sure," Blewett said.
"Sometimes he's getting himself into good positions, but a lot of the time you're seeing that over balance after he plays that shot."
Konstas wasn't the only one to fall as Australia battled to survive a tricky 40-minute period at the end of day two. Usman Khawaja was out lbw for 2 for the third time in this series.
All three have come in identical fashion – missing a full and straight one from a right-arm fast bowler coming around the wicket.
The Aussies will resume on day three at 2-12 with a shaky 45-run lead. Night watchman Nathan Lyon is on 2 and Cameron Green 6.
