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"Just shelve ramp shot": Border tears into one-dimensional Sam Konstas ahead of Ashes 2025

Akshita Patel

Sam Konstas questioned ahead of Ashes [Source: @ICC, @sas_3343/X.com]Sam Konstas questioned ahead of Ashes [Source: @ICC, @sas_3343/X.com]

With the Ashes 2025 just weeks away, Australian cricket legend Allan Border has taken a brutal dig at young opener Sam Konstas. He questioned his technique and obsession with the ramp shot. 

Konstas, just 20 years old, has caught attention for his aggressive batting style and fearlessness at the crease. 

However, his dismissal while attempting another ramp shot in a recent 50-over game against Victoria seems to have pushed Border’s patience over the edge.

Allan Border doubts Sam Konstas’ technical shortcomings

Former Australian legend Allan Border, with his no-nonsense approach, didn’t hold back. Talking to SEN, he wondered aloud whether Sam Konstas could even play a classic cover drive.

“Sam Konstas – I’ve only ever seen him play a ramp shot,” Border told SEN. “Can he cover drive or anything like that? I don’t know. We just haven’t seen it. He’s 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 first," Border said.

He further urged the youngster to tone down the flair and focus on building solid innings instead.

"I’d be saying, ‘Just shelve the ramp shot, just give yourself a chance to get in and just [play] conventionally’. He’s good enough, from what I’m hearing, but I just haven’t seen it yet,” he added.

Border’s comments come as Australia’s selectors face a major headache ahead of the Ashes opener in Perth on November 21. 

With no clear partner for veteran Usman Khawaja at the top, the likes of Sam Konstas, Matt Renshaw, Cameron Green, and Beau Webster are all being considered.

Border snubs Konstas to pick Renshaw as Khawaja’s partner

Allan Border has made his opening preference clear, as he wants stability, not experimentation. 

“Usman is a lock-in for the first couple of Tests at least. I’d be going Renshaw [to partner Khawaja]. He’s back in the one-day team and he’s been scoring runs pretty consistently over the last couple of years – red ball and white ball – and he’s been there, done that."

The 1987 World Cup-winning captain believes the top three should be made up of Usman Khawaja, Renshaw, and Marnus Labuschagne, with Beau Webster and Cameron Green fighting for middle-order spots.