Cummins praises MCG Pitch and encourages debutant Konstas ahead of Boxing Day Test

As anticipation builds for the fourth Test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Australian skipper Pat Cummins has provided insights into the pitch conditions and shared a heartfelt message for debutant Sam Konstas. The Boxing Day Test, with the series tied at 1-1, is crucial for both teams as they aim for a series lead and a strong case for the ICC World Test Championship final.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Cummins praised the MCG pitch, describing it as “nice and firm” with “a bit of grass coverage.” He highlighted its consistency over the years and expressed confidence in its balance for both batsmen and bowlers.

“The pitch looks really good, quite consistent with what it has been for the last few years,” Cummins remarked. “It feels nice and firm, so they [curators] have done a great job. Nathan Lyon has had some success here, and he could play a role if there’s some assistance for spin.”

With Melbourne’s heat expected to soar to 39 degrees during the match, Cummins acknowledged the physical demands on bowlers but remained optimistic about his team’s ability to adapt to the conditions.

The match will mark a significant milestone for 19-year-old debutant Sam Konstas, who has impressed with stellar performances in domestic cricket and the ICC U19 World Cup. Cummins, drawing from his own experience as an 18-year-old debutant, urged Konstas to embrace the occasion and enjoy the moment without overthinking it.

Reflecting on his international debut in 2011 against South Africa, Cummins shared, “It was pretty awesome. I remember being really excited and feeling like it was all happening so quickly. My message to Sam is to go out, take the game on, and have fun like you’re playing backyard cricket.”

Cummins humorously recalled how, as a young player, he felt he had a safety net in case of failure, jokingly attributing responsibility to the selectors for choosing him at such a young age. “I thought, ‘If I don’t have a great game, it’s not my fault – it’s the selectors’ fault for picking me!'” he said with a laugh. “For Sam, it doesn’t get better than this. It’s Boxing Day at the MCG—just enjoy the moment.”

Sam Konstas has been a standout performer in the domestic circuit. In Australia’s ICC U19 World Cup triumph, he scored 191 runs in seven innings, including a century. His brilliance continued in the two-match series between Australia A and India A, where he scored an unbeaten 73 in a match-winning effort.

Also see: IND vs AUS Schedule

In the Sheffield Shield season, Konstas has further cemented his reputation, amassing 471 runs in five matches at an average of 58.87, with two centuries and a top score of 152. He also made a mark in a warm-up pink-ball game against India, hammering 107 runs off 97 balls against a formidable attack.