Cummins Backs Konstas Despite Test Struggles as Australia Wins

Australian captain Pat Cummins expressed his support for young opener Sam Konstas despite his struggles in the first Test against the West Indies. Australia secured a 159-run victory in Bridgetown on Friday. Konstas, a 19-year-old, managed only three runs in the first innings and five in the second.

Cummins acknowledged the challenges of Test cricket, especially for young players adapting to different conditions. He highlighted the difficulty of adjusting one's approach and finding scoring opportunities on a challenging pitch. While Konstas experimented with different strategies, they didn't fully pay off. However, Cummins maintained complete confidence in the young batsman.

The Australian victory was built on the batting performances of Travis Head, Beau Webster, and Alex Carey. The West Indies were set a target of 301 to win. Josh Hazlewood's exceptional bowling performance, taking five wickets for 43 runs, led to the hosts being dismissed for 141, concluding the match with two days to spare.

Cummins noted the tricky nature of the pitch and expressed surprise at the quick dismissal of the West Indies. He praised Head, Webster, and Carey for their excellent batting, emphasizing their ability to keep the scoreboard moving and make smart decisions. Cummins believed their proactive approach was the key difference in securing the win.